Novel benzimidazole and imidazopyridine derivatives and use thereof as a medicament

ABSTRACT

A compound of the formula  
                 
wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification and pharmaceutical salts thereof having a good affinity for sub-types of melanocortin receptors making them useful for treating diseases in which such receptors are included such as pain, inflammatory conditions, etc.

A subject of the present application is novel derivatives of benzimidazole and imidazo-pyridine. These products have a good affinity for certain sub-types of melanocortin receptors, in particular the MC4 receptors. They are particularly useful for treating pathological conditions and diseases in which one or more melanocortin receptors are involved. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing said products and their use for preparing a medicament.

The melanocortins represent a group of peptides which derive from the same precursor, proopiomelanocortin (POMC), and which are structurally close: the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), the α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), β-MSH and γ-MSH (Eipper B. A. and Mains R. E., Endocr. Rev. 1980, 1, 1-27). The melanocortins carry out numerous physiological functions. They stimulate the synthesis of the steroids by the adrenal cortex and the synthesis of eumelanine by the melanocytes. They regulate the intake of food, energetic metabolism, sexual function, neuronal regeneration, blood pressure and heart rate, as well as the perception of pain, learning, attention and memory. The melanocortins also possess anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic properties and control the secretion of several endocrine or exocrine glands such as the sebaceous, lacrimal and mammary glands, the prostate and the pancreas (Wikberg J. E. et al. Pharmacol. Res. 2000, 42, 393-420; Abdel-Malek Z. A., Cell. Mol. Life. Sci. 2001, 58, 434-441).

The effects of the melanocortins are mediated by a family of membrane receptors specific to seven transmembrane domains and coupled to G proteins. Five sub-types of receptors, named MC1 to MC5, have been cloned and characterized to date. These receptors differ in their tissue distribution and in the affinity of different melanocortins, the MC2 receptors only recognizing the ACTH. The stimulation of the melanocortin receptors activates adenylate cyclase with production of cyclic AMP. If the specific functional roles of each of the receptors are not totally elucidated, the treatment of pathological disorders or diseases can be associated with an affinity for certain sub-types of receptors. Thus activation of the MC1 receptors has been associated with the treatment of inflammations, while blocking them has been associated with the treatment of cutaneous cancers. The treatment of nutritional disorders has been associated with the MC3 and MC4 receptors, the treatment of obesity with agonists and the treatment of cachexia and anorexia with antagonists. Other indications linked to the activation of the MC3 and MC4 receptors are problems with sexual activity, neuropathic pain, anxiety, depression and drug addiction. The activation of the MC5 receptors has been associated with the treatment of acne and dermatoses.

The Applicants have discovered that the novel compounds of general formula (I) described hereafter possess a good affinity for the melanocortin receptors. They preferably act on the MC4 receptors. Said compounds, agonists or antagonists of the melanocortin receptors, can be used for treating the pathological conditions or diseases of the metabolism, of the nervous system or dermatological diseases in which one or more melanocortin receptors are involved such as the following examples: inflammatory conditions, energetic homeostasis disorders, intake of food disorders, weight disorders (obesity, cachexia, anorexia), sexual activity disorders (erective disorders), pain and more particularly neuropathic pain. Mental health problems (anxiety, depression), drug addiction, skin diseases (acne, dermatoses, skin cancer, melanomas) can also be mentioned. These compounds can also be used to stimulate nerve regeneration.

A subject of the invention is therefore a compound of general formula (I)

in racemic or enantiomeric form or any combinations of these forms and in which:

-   A represents —CH₂—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—C(R_(a))(R_(b))—; -   X represents —CH— or —N—; -   R_(a) and R_(b) represent, independently, the hydrogen atom or a     (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical; -   R₁ represents the hydrogen atom; a (C₁-C₈)alkyl radical optionally     substituted by hydroxy or one or more identical or different halo     radicals; (C₂-C₆)alkenyl; or a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(n)—X₁; -   R₂ represents a (C₁-C₈)alkyl radical optionally substituted by     hydroxy or one or more identical or different halo radicals;     (C₂-C₆)alkenyl; or a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(n)—X₁; -   each X₁ independently represents (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl,     adamantyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl,     -   the (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl         radicals being optionally substituted by one or more identical         or different substituents chosen from: —(CH₂)_(n′)—V₁—Y₁, halo,         nitro, cyano and aryl;     -   V₁ represents —O—, —S— or a covalent bond;     -   Y₁ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical optionally substituted by         one or more identical or different halo radicals;     -   n represents an integer from 0 to 6 and n′ an integer from 0 to         2 (it being understood that when n is equal to 0, then X₁ does         not represent the alkoxy radical);     -   or R₁ and R₂ form together with the nitrogen atom to which they         are attached, a heterobicycloalkyl or a heterocycloalkyl         optionally substituted by one or more identical or different         substituents chosen from: hydroxy, (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally         substituted by hydroxy, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, heterocycloalkyl         and —C(O)NV₁′Y₁′ with V₁′ and Y₁′ independently representing the         hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or R₁ and R₂ together form a         radical of formula: -   R₃ represents -Z₃, —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z₃,     —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))—(CH₂)_(p)-Z₃ or —C(O)-Z′₃     -   R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) represent, independently, the hydrogen atom         or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical;     -   Z₃ represents Z_(3a), Z_(3b), Z_(3c), Z_(3d), or Z_(3e); Z_(3a)         represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical;     -   Z_(3b) represents a (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio,         (C₁-C₆)alkylamino or di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino radical;     -   Z_(3c) represents an aryl or heteroaryl radical;     -   Z_(3d) represents a (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, amino-carbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)alkylamino-carbonyl, di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino-carbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)alkyl-C(O)—NH—, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl         radical;     -   the (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl radicals being         optionally substituted by one or more identical or different         substituents chosen from: halo, nitro, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy optionally         substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals,         (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by one or more identical or         different halo radicals, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-carbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, amino-carbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)alkylamino-carbonyl, di((C-C₆)alkyl)amino-carbonyl and         oxy,     -   the aryl and heteroaryl radicals being optionally substituted by         one or more identical or different substituents chosen from:         halo, cyano, nitro, azido, oxy,         (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl-(C₁-C₆)alkenyl,         (C₁-C₆)alkylamino-carbonyl-(C -C₆)alkenyl, —SO₂—NR₃₁R₃₂,         heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl or —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃;     -   R₃₁ and R₃₂ form together with the nitrogen atom to which they         are attached, a heterocycloalkyl;     -   V₃ represents —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —O—C(O)—, —SO₂—,         —SO₂NH—, —NR′₃—SO₂—, —NR′₃—, —NR′₃—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR′₃—,         —NH—C(O)—NR′₃— or a covalent bond;     -   Y₃ represents the hydrogen atom; a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical         optionally substituted by one or more identical or different         halo radicals; an aryl radical optionally substituted by one or         more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo,         nitro, (C₁-C₆)alkyl and (C₁-C₆)alkoxy; or an aryl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl         radical optionally substituted by one or more identical or         different substituents chosen from: halo, nitro, (C₁-C₆)alkyl         and (C₁-C₆)alkoxy;     -   Z_(3e) represents a radical of formula     -   Z′₃ represents an aryl radical optionally substituted by one or         more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo,         nitro and —(CH₂)_(p″)—V′₃—Y′₃;     -   V′₃ represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —C(O)—NR′₃—,         —NH—C(O)—NR′₃— or a covalent bond;     -   Y′₃ represents the hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical         optionally substituted by one or more identical or different         halo radicals;     -   R′₃ represents the hydrogen atom, a (C₁-C₆)alkyl or         (C₁-C₆)alkoxy radical;     -   p represents an integer from 1 to 4; p′ and p″ represent,         independently, an integer from 0 to 4; -   R₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄ -   R′₄ represents the guanidine radical; a heterocycloalkyl containing     at least one nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by     (C₁-C₆)alkyl or aralkyl; a heteroaryl containing at least one     nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or a     radical of formula —NW₄W′₄     -   W₄ represents the hydrogen atom or (C₁-C₈)alkyl;     -   W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄;     -   Z₄ represents the hydrogen atom, (C₁-C₈)alkyl optionally         substituted by one or more identical or different substituents         chosen from: (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio and hydroxy;         (C₂-C₆)alkenyl; (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl optionally substituted by one         or more identical or different (C₁-C₆)alkyl substituents;         cyclohexene; heteroaryl and aryl;         -   the aryl and heteroaryl radicals being optionally             substituted by one or more identical or different radicals             chosen of formula: —(CH₂)_(s″)—V₄—Y₄, hydroxy, halo, nitro             and cyano;             -   V₄ represents —O—, —S—, —NH—C(O)—, —NV₄′- or a covalent                 bond;             -   Y₄ represents a hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical                 optionally substituted by one or more identical or                 different halo radicals;             -   V₄′ represents a hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl;             -   s″ represents an integer from 0 to 4;     -   or Z₄ represents a radical of formula     -   s and s′ represent, independently, an integer from 0 to 6;         and i) when R₃ represents —C(O)-Z′₃ and R₄ represents a radical         of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—NW₄W′₄ and W₄ and W′₄ represent,         independently, the hydrogen atom or the (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical,         then —(CH₂)_(s) represents neither the ethylene radical nor the         —(CH₂)—CH((C₁-C₄)alkyl)- radical and ii) when R₃ represents         -Z_(3c) and Z_(3c) represents a phenyl or naphthyl radical, then         phenyl and naphthyl are not substituted by cyano; and it being         understood that when R₃ represents -Z_(3d) then Z_(3d) only         represents one (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl radical; or         a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In the definitions given above, the expression halo represents the fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo radical, preferably chloro, fluoro or bromo. The expression alkyl (unless otherwise specified), preferably represents a linear or branched alkyl radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as the methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl, pentyl or amyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, 2,2-dimethyl-propyl, hexyl, isohexyl or 1,2,2-trimethyl-propyl radicals. The term (C₁-C₈)alkyl designates a linear or branched alkyl radical having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, such as the radicals containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms as defined above but also heptyl, octyl, 1,1,2,2-tetramethyl-propyl, 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-butyl. The term hydroxyalkyl designates the radicals in which the alkyl radical is as defined above such as for example hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl. By the expression alkyl substituted by hydroxy is meant any linear or branched alkyl chain, containing a hydroxy radical positioned along the chain; thus for a chain containing 3 carbon atoms and one hydroxy radical, HO—(CH₂)₃—, CH₃—CH(OH)—CH₂— and CH₃—CH₂—CH(OH)— can be cited as examples.

By alkenyl, unless otherwise specified, is meant a linear or branched alkyl radical containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and having at least one unsaturation (double bond), such as for example vinyl, allyl, propenyl, butenyl or pentenyl.

The term alkoxy designates the radicals in which the alkyl radical is as defined above such as for example the methoxy, ethoxy, propyloxy or isopropyloxy radicals but also linear, secondary or tertiary butoxy, pentyloxy. The term alkoxy-carbonyl preferably designates the radicals in which the alkoxy radical is as defined above such as for example methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl. The term alkylthio designates the radicals in which the alkyl radical is as defined above such as for example methylthio, ethylthio.

The term guanidine represents the —NHC(═NH)NH₂ radical. The term (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl designates a saturated carbon monocyclic system comprising from 3 to 7 carbon atoms, and preferably the cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl rings. The expression heterocycloalkyl designates a condensed monocyclic or bicyclic saturated system containing from 2 to 9 carbon atoms and at least one heteroatom. This radical can contain several identical or different heteroatoms. Preferably, the heteroatoms are chosen from oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen. As an example of a heterocycloalkyl, there may be mentioned the rings containing at least one nitrogen atom such as pyrrolidine, imidazolidine, pyrrazolidine, isothiazolidine, thiazolidine, isoxazolidine, oxazolidine, piperidine, piperazine, azepane (azacycloheptane), azacyclooctane, diazepane, morpholine, decahydroisoquinoline (or decahydroquinoline) but also the rings not containing any nitrogen atom such as tetrahydrofuran or tetrahydrothiophene. As an example of cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl substituted by oxy, for example pyrrolidinone and imidazolidinone can be mentioned.

The term heterobicycloalkyl designates a non-condensed saturated hydrocarbon bicyclic system containing from 5 to 8 carbon atoms and at least one heteroatom chosen from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur. As an example of heterobicycloalkyl, aza-bicycloheptane and aza-bicyclooctane such as 7-aza-bicyclo[2,2,1]heptane, 2-aza-bicyclo[2,2,2]octane or 6-aza-bicyclo[3,2,1]octane can be mentioned.

The expression aryl represents an aromatic radical, constituted by a ring or condensed rings, such as for example the phenyl, naphthyl, fluorenyl or anthryl radical. The expression heteroaryl designates an aromatic radical, constituted by a ring or condensed rings, with at least one ring containing one or more identical or different heteroatoms chosen from sulphur, nitrogen or oxygen. As an example of a heteroaryl radical, there can be mentioned the radicals containing at least one nitrogen atom such as pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, triazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, quinioxalinyl, indolyl, dihydroindolyl, benzoxadiazoyl, carbazolyl, phenoxazinyl but also the radicals not containing a nitrogen atom such as thienyl, benzothienyl, furyl, benzofuryl dibenzofuryl, dihydrobenzofuryl, dibenzothienyl, thioxanthenyl, or pyranyl. The term aralkyl (arylalkyl) preferably designates the radicals in which the aryl and alkyl radicals are as defined above such as for example benzyl or phenethyl. As an example of an aryl or heteroaryl radical substituted by oxy, for example fluorenone, acridone, xanthenone, benzothienyl-dione, anthraquinone, thioxanthene, benzocoumarine can be mentioned.

In the present Application also, the (CH₂)_(i) radical (i integer being able to represent n, n′, p, p′, p″, s, s′ and s″ as defined above), represents a linear or branched hydrocarbon chain, with i carbon atoms. Thus the —(CH₂)₃ radical can represent —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂— but also —CH(CH₃)—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH(CH₃)— or —C(CH₃)₂—.

According to the present Application also, when a radical has the formula —B-D-E with D representing for example —C(O)—NH—, this means that the carbon atom of —C(O)—NH—is bound to B and the nitrogen atom to E.

Preferably, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above and characterized in that X represents —CH—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Preferably, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above, characterized in that X represents —CH— and A represents —CH₂, and more particularly

-   -   R₁ and R₂ represent, independently, a (C₁-C₈)alkyl radical;     -   R₃ represents -Z_(3c), —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z_(3c),         —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z_(3d),         —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))—(CH₂)_(p)-Z_(3d);     -   R₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄;     -   R′₄ represents a heterocycloalkyl containing at least one         nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or a         radical of formula —NW₄W′₄;         -   W₄ represents the hydrogen atom or (C₁-C₈)alkyl;         -   W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)—-Z₄;         -   Z₄ represents the hydrogen atom;     -   s represents an integer from 2 to 4; s′ represents an integer         from 0 to 4;         and preferably     -   the heterocycloalkyl represented by R′₄ is the piperidine ring;     -   R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) represent the hydrogen atom;     -   Z_(3c) represents the thienyl, furyl or phenyl radical,         -   the phenyl radical being substituted by one or more             identical or different substituents chosen from: halo and             —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃;         -   V₃ represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —C(O)—NR′₃— or a             covalent bond;         -   R′₃ represents the hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical;         -   Y₃ represents the hydrogen atom; a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical             optionally substituted by one or more identical or different             halo radicals;     -   Z_(3d) represents the (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl or heterocycloalkyl         radical, and preferably the heterocycloalkyl is imidazolidine;         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Preferably, the invention also relates to compounds of formula I as defined above, characterized in that X represents —CH— and A represents —C(O)—C(R_(a))(R_(b))— with R_(a) and R_(b) representing the methyl radical; and more particularly

-   -   R₁ and R₂ represent, independently, a (C₁-C₈)alkyl radical;     -   R₃ represents -Z_(3c), —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z_(3c),         —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z_(3d) or         —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))—(CH₂)_(p)-Z_(3d);     -   R₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄;     -   R′₄ represents a heterocycloalkyl containing at least one         nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or a         radical of formula —NW₄W′₄;         -   W₄ represents the hydrogen atom or (C₁-C₈)alkyl;         -   W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄;         -   Z₄ represents the hydrogen atom, the phenyl radical or a             heteroaryl;         -   s represents an integer from 2 to 4; s′ represents an             integer from 0 to 4;             and preferably     -   R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) represent, independently, the hydrogen atom;     -   Z_(3c) represents a thienyl radical optionally substituted by         (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl; or phenyl substituted by one or more         identical or different substituents chosen from: halo, nitro or         —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃;         -   V₃ represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —C(O)—NR′₃— or a             covalent bond;         -   Y₃ represents the hydrogen atom; a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical             optionally substituted by one or more identical or different             halo radicals;         -   R′₃ represents the hydrogen atom;     -   Z_(3d) represents a (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl radical;     -   the heterocycloalkyl represented by R′₄ is piperidine;     -   the heteroaryl represented by Z₄ is pyridine; or a         pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Preferably, the invention also relates to compounds of formula I as defined above, characterized in that X represents —CH— and A represents —C(O)—,

and more particularly R₃ represents —C(O)-Z′₃;

-   -   R₁ and R₂ represent, independently, a (C₁-C₈)alkyl radical;     -   Z′₃ represents a phenyl radical optionally substituted by one or         more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo,         nitro and —(CH₂)_(p″)—V′₃—Y′₃         -   V′₃ represents —O—, —C(O)—O— or a covalent bond;         -   Y′₃ represents the hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical;         -   p″ represents the integer 0;     -   R₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄ and R′₄         represents a radical of formula —NW₄W′₄         -   W₄ represents the hydrogen atom or (C₁-C₈)alkyl;         -   W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄ and Z₄             represents the hydrogen atom;         -   s represents an integer from 2 to 4; s′ represents an             integer from 0 to 4;             or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Preferably, the invention also relates to compounds of formula I as defined above, characterized in that X represents —CH— and A represents —C(O)—, and

-   -   R₁ represents a hydrogen atom, a (C₁-C₈)alkyl radical optionally         substituted by hydroxy, (C₂-C₆)alkenyl or a radical of formula         —(CH₂)_(n)—X₁;     -   R₂ represents a (C₁-C₈)alkyl radical optionally substituted by         hydroxy, (C₂-C₆)alkenyl or a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(n)—X₁;     -   each X₁ represents, independently, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy,         (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl,         -   the aryl radical being optionally substituted by one or more             identical or different substituents chosen from:             —(CH₂)_(n′)—V₁—Y₁, halo;         -   V₁ represents -Q- or a covalent bond;         -   Y₁ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical optionally substituted             by one or more identical or different halo radicals; or             aryl;     -   or R₁ and R₂ form together with the nitrogen atom to which they         are attached, a heterocycloalkyl optionally substituted by one         or more identical or different substituents chosen from:         hydroxy, (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy,         (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, heterocycloalkyl and —C(O)NV₁′Y₁′ with         V₁′ and Y₁′ independently representing the hydrogen atom or a         (C₁-C₆)alkyl,     -   or R₁ and R₂ together form a radical of formula:     -   R₃ represents -Z₃, —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z₃ or         —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))—(CH₂)_(p)-Z₃;     -   R₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄     -   R′₄ represents a heterocycloalkyl containing at least one         nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl or         aralkyl; a heteroaryl containing at least one nitrogen atom and         optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or a radical of formula         —NW₄W′₄     -   W₄ represents the hydrogen atom or (C₁-C₈)alkyl;     -   W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄;     -   Z₄ represents the hydrogen atom, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl or aryl;     -   s represents an integer from 0 to 5; s′ represents an integer         from 0 to 4;         and more particularly characterized in that they have at least         one of the following characteristics:     -   the (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl radical represented by X₁ is cyclopropyl;     -   the aryl radical represented by X₁ the phenyl radical;     -   the heteroaryl radical represented by X₁ is pyridine;     -   the heterocycloalkyl that R₁ and R₂ form together with the         nitrogen atom to which they are attached is chosen from:         pyrrolidine, piperidine, azepane, azacyclooctane, morpholine,         piperazine and decahydroisoquinoline;     -   the heterocycloalkyl radical represented by R′₄, optionally         substituted by C₁-C₆)alkyl or benzyl, is chosen from:         pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl or piperazinyl;     -   the heteroaryl radical represented by R′₄ is the imidazolyl         radical;     -   the cycloalkyl represented by Z₄ is chosen from: cyclopropyl,         cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl;     -   the aryl represented by Z₄ is phenyl; or a pharmaceutically         acceptable salt thereof.

Very preferably, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above, characterized in that R₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄ with R′₄ representing the pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl radical; or a radical of formula —NW₄W′₄

-   -   W₄ represents the hydrogen atom or (C₁-C₈)alkyl;     -   W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄ with Z₄         representing the hydrogen atom;     -   s represents an integer from 2 to 4; s′ represents an integer         from 0 to 4; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Very preferably also, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above, characterized in that R₁ and R₂ represent, independently, a (C₁-C₈)alkyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Preferably, the invention also relates to compounds of formula I as defined above, characterized in that X represents —CH—, A represents —C(O)—, and

-   -   R₃ represents -Z₃ and Z₃ represents Z_(3c), Z_(3d) or Z_(3e);     -   Z_(3d) represents a (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl         radical;         and more particularly     -   Z_(3c) represents a heteroaryl radical chosen from thienyl,         furyl, indolyl, dihydroindolyl, pyridyl, benzothienyl and         benzofuryl; or an aryl radical chosen from phenyl, naphthyl and         fluorenyl;     -   the heteroaryl radical being optionally substituted by one or         more identical or different substituents chosen from:         (C₁-C₆)alkyl-carbonyl and (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl;     -   the aryl radical being optionally substituted by one or more         identical or different substituents chosen from: halo, cyano,         nitro, azido, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl-(C₁-C₆)alkenyl, oxy,         —SO₂—NR₃₁R₃₂, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, or         —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃;     -   R₃₁ and R₃₂ form together with the nitrogen atom to which they         are attached, the piperidine ring;     -   V₃ represents —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —SO₂—, —SO₂NH—,         —NR′₃—, —NR′₃—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR′₃—, —NH—C(O)—NR′₃— or a covalent         bond;     -   Y₃ represents the hydrogen atom; a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical         optionally substituted by one or more identical or different         halo radicals; phenyl; or benzyl;     -   R′₃ represents the hydrogen atom, a (C₁-C₆)alkyl or         (C₁-C₆)alkoxy radical;     -   Z_(3d) represents the cyclopropyl, cyclohexyl or piperidinyl         radical, each being able to be substituted by a         (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable         salt thereof.

Preferably, the invention also relates to compounds of formula I as defined above, characterized in that X represents —CH—, A represents —C(O)—, and

-   -   R₃ represents -Z₃ and Z₃ represents Z_(3c), Z_(3d) or Z_(3e);     -   Z_(3d) represents a (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl         radical;         and more particularly     -   Z_(3c) represents a heteroaryl radical chosen from thienyl,         indolyl and benzothienyl;     -   or an aryl radical chosen from phenyl and naphthyl;     -   the heteroaryl radical being optionally substituted by one or         more oxy radicals;     -   the aryl radical being optionally substituted by one or more         identical or different substituents chosen from: halo, nitro,         heteroaryl or —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃;         -   V₃ represents —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —SO₂—, —SO₂NH—,             —NR′₃—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR′₃—, —NH—C(O)—NR′₃— or a covalent bond;         -   Y₃ represents the hydrogen atom; a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical             optionally substituted by one or more identical or different             halo radicals; a phenyl radical; or a benzyl radical;         -   R′₃ represents the hydrogen atom, a (C₁-C₆)alkyl or             (C₁-C₆)alkoxy radical;     -   Z_(3d) represents the cyclopropyl or piperidinyl radical, each         optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl;         and preferably     -   Z₃ represents Z_(3c) or Z_(3e);     -   Z_(3c) represents a phenyl being optionally substituted by one         or more identical or different substituents chosen from nitro         and —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃;         -   V₃ represents —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —SO₂—, —SO₂NH—,             —NR′₃—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR′₃— or a covalent bond;         -   Y₃ represents the hydrogen atom; a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical; a             phenyl radical; or a benzyl radical;         -   R′₃ represents the hydrogen atom;     -   Z_(3e) represents         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Preferably, the invention also relates to compounds of formula I as defined above, characterized in that X represents —CH—, A represents —C(O)—, R₃ represents —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z₃ and Z₃ represents Z_(3b), Z_(3c), Z_(3d) or Z_(3e); or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Very preferably, the invention also relates to compounds of formula I as defined above, characterized in that X represents —CH—, A represents —C(O)—, and

-   -   R₃ represents —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z₃ and Z₃ represents Z_(3b) or         Z_(3c);     -   R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) represent the hydrogen atom;         and more particularly     -   Z_(3b) represents a (C₁-C₆)alkoxy radical;     -   Z_(3c) represents a heteroaryl radical chosen from thienyl,         furyl, pyridyl, benzothienyl and dihydrobenzofuryl; or an aryl         radical chosen from phenyl and naphthyl,     -   the aryl radical being optionally substituted by one or more         identical or different substituents chosen from: halo or         —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃;     -   V₃ represents —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —SO₂—, —SO₂NH—,         —NR′₃—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR′₃—,     -   Y₃ represents the hydrogen atom; a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical         optionally substituted by one or more identical or different         halo radicals;     -   R′₃ represents the hydrogen atom;         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Very preferably, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above, characterized in that X represents —CH—, A represents —C(O)—, and

-   -   R₃ represents —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z₃ and Z₃ represents Z_(3b) or         Z_(3c);     -   R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) represent the hydrogen atom;         and more particularly     -   Z_(3b) represents a (C₁-C₆)alkoxy radical;     -   Z_(3c) represents a heteroaryl radical chosen from thienyl,         furyl, dihydrobenzofuryl; or a phenyl radical;     -   the phenyl radical being optionally substituted by one or more         identical or different substituents chosen from: nitro or         —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃;     -   V₃ represents —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —SO₂—, —SO₂NH—,         —C(O)—NR′₃—,     -   Y₃ represents the hydrogen atom; or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical         optionally substituted by one or more identical or different         halo radicals;     -   R′₃ represents the hydrogen atom;         and preferably

Z₃ represents Z_(3c);

-   -   Z_(3c) represents a furyl or phenyl radical,     -   the phenyl radical being optionally substituted by one or more         identical or different substituents of formula         —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃;     -   V₃ represents —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —SO₂—, —SO₂NH—,         —C(O)—NR′₃—,     -   Y₃ represents the hydrogen atom; or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical         optionally substituted by one or more identical or different         halo radicals;     -   R′₃ represents the hydrogen atom;         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Very preferably, the invention also relates to compounds of formula I as defined above, characterized in that X represents —CH—, A represents —C(O)—, and

-   -   R₃ represents —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z₃ and Z₃ represents Z_(3d) or         Z_(3e);     -   R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) represent the hydrogen atom or (C₁-C₆)alkyl;     -   Z_(3d) represents a (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl or         heterocycloalkyl radical;     -   Z_(3e) represents         and more particularly     -   Z_(3d) represents a (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, cyclohexyl or a         tetrahydrofuranyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt         thereof.

Very preferably, the invention also relates to compounds of formula I as defined above, characterized in that X represents —CH—, A represents —C(O)—, and

-   -   R₃ represents —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z₃ and Z₃ represents Z_(3d) or         Z_(3e);     -   Z_(3d) represents a (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl radical;     -   Z₃, represents         and preferably Z₃ represents Z_(3e)         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Preferably, the invention also relates to compounds of formula I as defined above, characterized in that X represents —CH—, A represents —C(O)—, R₃ represents —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))—(CH₂)_(p)-Z₃ and Z₃ represents Z_(3b), Z_(3c) or Z_(3d); or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Very preferably, the invention relates to compounds of formula I as defined above, characterized in that X represents —CH—, A represents —C(O)—, and

-   -   R₃ represents —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))—(CH₂)_(p)-Z₃ and Z₃ represents         Z_(3b);         and more particularly     -   R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) represent, independently, the hydrogen atom         or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical;     -   Z_(3b) represents a (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio or         di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable         salt thereof.

Very preferably, the invention also relates to compounds of formula I as defined above, characterized in that X represents —CH—, A represents —C(O)—, and

-   -   R₃ represents —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))—(CH₂)_(p)-Z₃ and Z₃ represents         Z_(3b);         and more particularly     -   R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) represent, independently, the hydrogen atom         or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical;     -   Z_(3b) represents a (C₁-C₆)alkoxy or (C₁-C₆)alkylthio radical;         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Very preferably, the invention also relates to compounds of formula I as defined above, characterized in that X represents —CH—, A represents —C(O)—, and

-   -   R₃ represents —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))—(CH₂)_(p)-Z₃ and Z₃ represents         Z_(3c) or Z_(3d);         and more particularly     -   R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) represent, independently, the hydrogen atom         or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical;     -   Z_(3c) represents an indolyl or phenyl radical;         -   the phenyl radical being optionally substituted by one or             more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo             and —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃;         -   V₃ represents —SO₂NH—,         -   Y₃ represents the hydrogen atom; or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical;     -   Z_(3d) represents a (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, amino-carbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)alkyl-amino-carbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-C(O)—NH—, or         heterocycloalkyl radical optionally substituted by oxy, and         preferably piperidinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidine or         imidazolidinyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Very preferably, the invention also relates to compounds of formula I as defined above, characterized in that X represents —CH—, A represents —C(O)—, and

-   -   R₃ represents —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))—(CH₂)_(p)-Z₃ and Z₃ represents         Z_(3c) or Z_(3d);         and more particularly     -   Z₃ represents Z_(3d);     -   R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) represent, independently, the hydrogen atom         or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical;     -   Z_(3d) represents a (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, amino-carbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)alkylamino-carbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-C(O)—NH— or         heterocycloalkyl radical, and preferably pyrrolidine or         imidazolidine, optionally substituted by oxy; or a         pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In the present Application, the symbol ->* corresponds to the attachment point of the radical. When the attachment site is not specified on the radical, this means that the attachment is carried out on one of the sites available on this radical for such an attachment.

Following the definitions of the variable groups A, X, R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄, the compounds according to the invention can be prepared in liquid phase according to the different procedures A to G described below.

A. Preparation According to Reaction Diagram A:

The compounds of formula (I) according to the invention in which A represents —C(O)—, can be prepared according to the following diagram A:

As described in diagram A, the methylated derivative (1) (for X═C commercial compound; for X═N compound prepared according to the procedure of Baumgarten et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 1952, 74, 3828-3831, from 6-methyl-3-nitro-pyridin2-amine) can be oxidized to carboxylic acid (2) by an aqueous solution of potassium permanganate at a temperature of 100° C. for 3 to 6 hours (according to procedure of Schmelkes et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc, 1944, 1631), or by an aqueous solution of sodium dichromate in the presence of sulphuric acid at a temperature of 20-90° C. for 1 to 3 hours (according to procedure of Howes et al., European J. Med. Chem, 1999, 34, 225-234). The carboxylic acid (2) can be coupled with a primary or secondary amine in the presence of a coupling agent such as diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), 1,3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) or carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) with or without 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) in an inert organic solvent such as methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran or dimethylformamide at ambient temperature for 3 to 24 hours in order to produce the corresponding amide (3). Treatment of the fluorinated or chlorinated derivative (3) by a primary amine in the presence of an inorganic base such as caesium or potassium carbonate in an inert organic solvent such as dimethylformamide or acetonitrile at a temperature of 20-100° C. for 2 to 48 hours leads to derivative (4). The nitro function of compound (4) is reduced by treatment with dihydrate tin chloride in an inert solvent such as ethyl acetate or dimethylformamide at a temperature of 60-80° C. for 3 to 15 hours, or by catalytic hydrogenation in the presence of 10% palladium on carbon in an inert solvent such as methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate or a mixture of these solvents, at a temperature of 18-25° C., for 2 to 8 hours in order to produce the dianiline (5). The derivative (5) is then treated with an isothiocyanate in the presence of a coupling agent supported or not supported on a resin such as diisopropylcarbodiimide or dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or N-methylcyclohexylcarbodiimide N-methyl polystyrene resin in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride, or chloroform at a temperature of 20-70° C. for 2 to 72 hours in order to produce derivative (6). Alternatively, the derivative (5) can be treated with an isothiocyanate in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride, chloroform or ethanol at a temperature of 20-80° C. for 1-16 hours then the resultant thiourea can be treated by methyl iodide or yellow mercury (II) oxide in the presence of a catalytic quantity of sulphur in a polar solvent such as methanol or ethanol for 2 to 24 hours at a temperature of 20-80° C. in order to produce (6). Compound (6) can be isolated either by flash chromatography on silica gel, or by addition to the reaction mixture of a nucleophilic reagent supported on a polymer such as for example an aminomethylpolystyrene resin and/or an electrophilic reagent supported on a polymer such as for example methylisothiocyanate-polystyrene resin, followed by filtration and evaporation of the filtrate.

EXAMPLE A1 methyl 4-[(1-(3-aminopropyl)-6-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)amino]benzoate dihydrochloride

Stage 1: 3-fluoro-4-nitrobenzoic acid

A mixture of 3-fluoro-4-nitrotoluene (10 g, 1 eq) and potassium permanganate (25.5 g, 2.5 eq) in water (1 L) is heated under reflux for 6 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature. The mixture is filtered on celite and the aqueous phase is washed twice with diethyl ether (2×300 ml). The aqueous phase is acidified, at 0° C., with a solution of concentrated hydrochloric acid then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. to a volume of approximately 300 ml. The precipitate formed is filtered then washed with petroleum ether and dried in order to produce the expected compound in the form of a white solid (6.9 g; 58% yield).

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 7.93 (m, 2H), 8.25 (m, 1H), 13.95 (m, 1H).

Stage 2: 3-fluoro-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-4-nitrobenzamide

1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) (4.4 g, 1.1 eq) in solution in chloroform (25 ml) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) (3.05 g, 1.1 eq) in solution in THF (40 ml) are added successively to 3-fluoro-4-nitrobenzoic acid (3.8 g, 1 eq) in solution in anhydrous THF (30 ml). The mixture is stirred for 1 hour at a temperature of approximately 20° C. then diisoamylamine (3.6 g, 1.1 eq) in solution in THF (30 ml) is added. After stirring for 16 hours at a temperature of approximately 20° C., the reaction mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue is taken up in dichloromethane (200 ml) and water (70 ml). After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the compound by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: heptane/ethyl acetate 9:1) produces the expected compound in the form of a yellow oil (4.3 g; 65% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=324.4; m/z 325.2 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.69 (m, 6H), 0.93 (m, 6H), 1.35-1.60 (m, 6H), 3.09 (m, 2H), 3.41 (m, 2H), 7.38 (d, 1H), 7.63 (d, 1H), 8.21 (t, 1H).

Stage 3: tert-butyl 3-[(5-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}-2-nitrophenyl)amino]propylcarbamate

A mixture of 3-fluoro-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-4-nitrobenzamide (1.6 g, 1 eq), N-Boc-1,3-diaminopropane (0.9 g, 1.2 eq) and potassium carbonate (1.35 g, 2 eq) in acetonitrile (80 ml) is heated under reflux for 5 hours then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue is taken up in dichloromethane (100 ml) and water (40 ml). After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: heptane/ethyl acetate 8:2 to 6:4) produces the expected compound in the form of a yellow oil (2.2 g; 96% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=478.6; m/z=479.2 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.68 (m, 6H), 0.92 (m, 6H), 1.36 (s, 9H), 1.31-1.69 (m, 8H), 3.0 (m, 2H), 3.09 (m, 2H), 3.38 (m, 4H), 6.53 (d, 1H), 6.88 (m, 2H), 8.10 (d, 1H), 8.26 (m, 1H).

Stage 4: tert-butyl 3-[(2-amino-5-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}phenyl)amino]propylcarbamate

Tert-butyl 3-[(5-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}-2-nitrophenyl)amino]propylcarbamate (1.65 g) in solution in a mixture of ethyl acetate/ethanol 2:1 (130 ml), and 10% palladium on carbon (165 mg) are introduced into an autoclave. After stirring for 3 hours under a hydrogen atmosphere (3 bar) at a temperature of approximately 20° C., the catalyst is eliminated by filtration on celite and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. in order to produce the expected compound in the form of an oil (1.35 g; 89% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=448.6; m/z=449.2 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.81 (m, 12H), 1.37 (s, 9H), 1.32-1.53 (m, 6H), 1.70 (m, 2H), 3.0 (m, 4H), 3.26 (m, 4H), 4.47 (m, 1H), 4.79 (s, 2H), 6.35-6.51 (m, 3H), 6.85 (m, 1H).

Stage 5: methyl 4-[(6-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}-1-{3-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl) amino]propyl}-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)amino]benzoate

4-methoxycarbonylphenyl isothiocyanate (327 mg, 1.5 eq) and N-methylcyclohexylcarbodiimide-N-methyl-polystyrene resin (acquired from Novabiochem; charge 1.9 mmol/g; 1.75 g, 3 eq) are added successively to a solution of tert-butyl-3-[(2-amino-5-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}phenyl)amino]propylcarbamate (500 mg, 1 eq) in tetrahydrofuran (30 ml). The mixture is heated under reflux for 17 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature and aminomethylpolystyrene resin (acquired from Novabiochem, 2 eq) is added. After stirring for 4 hours at ambient temperature, the mixture is filtered on frit and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: heptane/ethyl acetate 1:1) produces the expected compound in the form of a white solid (409 mg; 60% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=607.8; m/z=608.1 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.65-0.90 (m, 12H), 1.36 (s, 9H), 1.31-1.44 (m, 6H), 1.81 (m, 2H), 3.0 (m, 2H), 3.26-3.39 (m, 4H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 4.29 (m, 2H), 6.95 (m, 1H), 7.04 (d, 1H), 7.36 (s, 1H), 7.44 (d, 1H), 7.94 (AB, 2H), 8.02 (AB, 2H), 9.34 (s, 1H).

Stage 6: methyl 4-[(1-(3-aminopropyl)-6-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)amino]benzoate dihydrochloride

A solution of hydrochloric acid in dioxane (4N, 2 ml) is added to a solution of methyl 4-[(6-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}-1-{3-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]propyl}-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)amino]benzoate (180 mg) in ethyl acetate (2 ml). After stirring for 1 hour at a temperature of approximately 20° C., the mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The solid obtained is washed with ethyl ether and dried (165 mg; 96% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=507.7; m/z=508.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.63-0.98 (m, 12H), 1.45 (m, 6H), 2.08 (m, 2H), 2.98 (m, 2H), 3.12-3.45 (m, 4H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 4.59 (m, 2H), 7.20 (d, 1H), 7.46 (d, 1H), 7.67 (s, 1H), 7.90 (m, 2H), 8.01-8.07 (m, 5H), 11.08 (m, 1H).

EXAMPLE A2 2-[(4-acetylphenyl)amino]-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide dihydrochloride

Stage 1: N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-4-nitro-3-[(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)amino]benzamide

A mixture of 3-fluoro-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-4-nitrobenzamide (430 mg, 1 eq, prepared according to Example A1), 3-piperidino-propylamine (212 mg, 1.1 eq) and potassium carbonate (365 mg, 2 eq) in acetonitrile (10 ml) is heated under reflux for 3 hours then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue is taken up in dichloromethane (50 ml) and water (20 ml). After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: ethyl acetate 100%) produces the expected compound in the form of a yellow oil (460 mg; 78% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=446.6; m/z=447.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.68 (d, 6H), 0.92 (d, 6H), 1.31-1.69 (m, 12H), 1.74 (m, 2H), 2.32 (m, 6H), 3.10 (m, 2H), 3.38 (m, 4H), 6.53 (d, 1H), 6.91 (m, 1H), 8.09 (d, 1H), 8.44 (t, 1H).

Stage 2: 2-[(4-acetylphenyl)amino]-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1-(3-piperidine-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide dihydrochloride

N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-4-nitro-3-[(3-piperidin-1-yl-propyl)amino]benzamide (44 mg) in solution in a mixture of ethyl acetate/ethanol 2:1 (1.5 ml), and 10% palladium on carbon (5 mg) are introduced into a haemolysis tube placed in an autoclave. After stirring for 3 hours under a hydrogen atmosphere (3 bar) at a temperature of approximately 20° C., the catalyst is eliminated by filtration on celite and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. 4-acetylphenyl isothiocyanate (27 mg, 1.5 eq) and N-methylcyclohexylcarbodiimide-N-methyl-polystyrene resin (acquired from Novabiochem; charge 1.9 mmol/g; 158 mg, 3 eq) are added successively to the aniline thus obtained, in solution in tetrahydrofuran (2 ml). The mixture is heated under reflux for 18 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature and aminomethylpolystyrene resin (acquired from Novabiochem, 2 eq) is added. After stirring for 4 hours at ambient temperature, the mixture is filtered on frit and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: 100% dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 9: 1) produces the expected compound in the form of a base. The corresponding hydrochloride salt is formed by adding a 1N solution of hydrochloric acid in ether. The precipitate obtained is filtered and dried in order to produce the expected dihydrochloride compound.

MS/LC: calculated MM=559.8; m/z=560.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): 50.68 (m, 6H), 0.94 (m, 6H), 1.31-1.56 (m, 6H), 1.57-1.90 (m, 6H), 2.28 (m, 2H), 2.60 (s, 3H), 2.86 (m, 2H), 3.21 (m, 4H), 3.40 (m, 4H), 4.62 (t, 2H), 7.24 (AB, 1H), 7.47 (AB, 1H), 7.76 (s, 1H), 7.81 (m, 2H), 8;07 (m, 2H), 10.40 (s, 1H), 11.64 (m, 1H).

EXAMPLE A3 2-(cyclohexylamino)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide dihydrochloride

Stage 1: 3-{[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]amino}-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-4-nitrobenzamide

A mixture of 3-fluoro-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-4-nitrobenzamide (2.5 g, 1 eq, prepared according to Example A1), 3-diethylamino-propylamine (877 mg, 1.1 eq) and potassium carbonate (2.13 g, 2 eq) in acetonitrile (80 ml) is heated under reflux for 5 hours then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue is taken up in dichloromethane (130 ml) and water (50 ml). After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: dichloromethane/methanol 9:1) produces the expected compound in the form of a yellow oil (2.1 g mg; 68% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=406.6; m/z=407.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.68 (d, 6H), 0.92 (d, 6H), 1.31-1.51 (m, 5H), 1.59 (m, 1H), 1.74 (m, 2H), 2.14 (s, 6H), 2.31 (t, 2H), 3.11 (m, 2H), 3.39 (m, 4H), 6.53 (d, 1H), 6.90 (s, 1H), 8.09 (d, 1H), 8.57 (t, 1H).

Stage 2: 2-(cyclohexylamino)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide dihydrochloride

3-{[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]amino}-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-4-nitrobenzamide (81 mg) in solution in a mixture of ethyl acetate/ethanol 2:1 (4 ml), and 10% palladium on carbon (8 mg) are introduced into a haemolysis tube placed in an autoclave. After stirring for 3 hours under a hydrogen atmosphere (3 bar) at a temperature of approximately 20° C., the catalyst is eliminated by filtration on celite and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Cyclohexyl isothiocyanate (58 mg, 2 eq) is successively added to the aniline thus obtained, in solution in tetrahydrofuran (2 ml). The mixture is heated under reflux for 3 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure. Yellow mercury (II) oxide (87 mg, 2 eq) and sulphur (1.4 mg) are successively added to the thiourea thus formed in solution in ethanol (3 ml). The mixture is heated for 17 hours under reflux then cooled down to ambient temperature and filtered on microfibre paper. The filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: 100% dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 9:1) produces the expected compound in the form of a base. The corresponding hydrochloride salt is formed by adding a 1N solution of hydrochloric acid in ether. The precipitate obtained is filtered and dried in order to produce the expected dihydrochloride compound (87 mg, 78% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=483.7; m/z=484.4 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.58-1.03 (m, 12H), 1.18 (m, 1H), 1.30-1.71 (m, 11H), 1.80 (m, 2H), 2.01 (m, 4H), 2.73 (s, 6H), 3.14 (m, 4H), 3.25 (m, 2H), 3.71 (m, 1H), 4.32 (m, 2H), 7.16 (m, 1H), 7.39 (m, 1H), 7.54 (m, 1H), 8.42 (m, 1H), 10.40 (m, 1H), 13.41 (m, 1H). Preparation of Non-Commercial Isothiocyanates:

A primary amine can be converted to isothiocyanate, by treatment with thiophosgene in the presence of a tertiary base such as triethylamine, in an aprotic solvent such as dichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran, at a temperature of 0-20° C. for 0.3 to 2 hours, or alternatively by treatment with carbon disulphide and cyclohexylcarbodiimide supported or not supported on a resin in an aprotic solvent such as dichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran, at a temperature of 0-70° C. for 0.3 to 15 hours. N-(4-isothiocyanatophenyl)acetamide

Thiophosgene (0.56 ml, 1.1 eq) is added dropwise to a solution cooled down to 0° C., of N-(4-aminophenyl)acetamide (1 g, 1 eq) and triethylamine (2.8 ml, 3 eq) in tetrahydrofuran (130 ml). The mixture is stirred for 30 minutes at 0° C. then the cold bath is removed and the stirring is continued for another 30 minutes. Water (70 ml) and diethyl ether (150 ml) are added to the mixture. After decantation and extractions, the organic phases are combined, washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The solid obtained is recrystallized from a dichloromethane/petroleum ether mixture (0.95 g; 75% yield).

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 2.04 (s, 3H), 7.35 (AB, 2H), 7.63 (AB, 2H), 110.14 (s, 1H).

The following isothiocyanates were prepared according to the same procedure as that described for N-(4-isothiocyanatophenyl)acetamide:

Preparation of IV-(4-isothiocyanatophenyl)-N′-methoxyurea

Carbonyl-di-imidazole (1.62 g, 2 eq) is added to a solution cooled down to 0° C., of tert-butyl 4-aminophenylcarbamate (1.04 g) in anhydrous dichloromethane (100 ml). The mixture is taken to a temperature of 20° C. and is stirred at this temperature for 15 hours. Triethylamine (7 ml, 10 eq) followed by O-methylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (4.2 g, 10 eq) are successively added to the reaction medium cooled down to 0° C. After stirring for 3 hours at a temperature of approximately 20° C., water saturated with sodium hydrogen carbonate and chloroform is added to the mixture. After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. in order to produce tert-butyl 4-{[(methoxyamino)carbonyl]amino}phenylcarbamate (1.33 g). A current of gaseous hydrochloric acid is passed through a suspension of this derivative in ethyl acetate until the reaction is complete. The precipitate obtained is filtered then washed with diethyl ether and dried in order to produce N-(4-aminophenyl)-N′-methoxyurea hydrochloride (1 g).

Thiophosgene (0.38 ml, 1.1 eq) is added dropwise to a solution cooled down to 0° C., of N-(4-aminophenyl)-NA-methoxyurea hydrochloride (1 g) and triethylamine (3.2 ml, 5 eq) in tetrahydrofuran (90 ml). The mixture is stirred for 15 min at 0° C. then water and diethyl ether are added. After decantation and extractions, the phases organic are combined, washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: heptane/ethyl acetate 7:3 to 3:7) produces the expected compound (630 mg; 62% yield).

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 3.61 (s, 3H), 7.34 (AB, 2H), 7.67 (AB, 2H), 9.11 (s, 1H), 9.65 (s, 1H). Preparation of Non-Commercial Acyl-Isothiocyanates:

Acyl-isothiocyanates can be prepared starting from the corresponding acid chlorides by treatment with potassium thiocyanate in an aprotic solvent such as acetonitrile at a temperature of 0-60° C. for 0.2-5 hours. Methyl 4-isothiocyanatocarbonylbenzoate:

Potassium thiocyanate (1.08 g) is added to a solution of methyl 4-chlorocarbonylbenzoate (2 g) in acetonitrile (30 ml). After stirring for 1 hour at approximately 20° C., the mixture is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The solid obtained is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: heptane/ethyl acetate 1:1) in order to produce the expected compound (2.1 g; 95% yield).

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 3.88 (s, 3H), 8.0 (m, 4H).

The following isothiocyanates were prepared according to the same procedure as that described for the methyl 4-isothiocyanatocarbonylbenzoate:

According to reaction diagram A and in a fashion analogous to the procedure described for the synthesis of methyl 4-[(1-(3-aminopropyl)-6-{[bis(3-methylbutyl) amino]carbonyl}-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)amino]benzoate dihydrochloride, 2-[(4-acetylphenyl)amino]-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1-(3-piperidin-1-ylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide dihydrochloride or 2-(cyclohexylamino)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide dihydrochloride, the following compounds were prepared:

in which R₁R₂N represents one of the radicals below:

and R₃ represents one of the radicals below:

-   -   1 or more substitutions chosen from:     -   1 or more substitutions chosen from:         and R₄ represents one of the radicals below:         B. Preparation According to Reaction Diagram B:

The compounds of formula (I) according to the invention in which A represents —C(O)—, can also be prepared according to the following diagram B:

As described in diagram B, the carboxylic acid (2) can be converted to methyl ester (7) either by treatment with a solution of trimethylsilyl-diazomethane at a temperature of 0-20° C., or by formation of a carboxylate salt using an inorganic base such as lithium hydroxide dihydrate or caesium carbonate, at ambient temperature for 30 minutes to 2 hours, in an inert organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, followed by the addition of dimethylsulphate at ambient temperature and stirring under reflux for 5 to 15 hours. The fluorinated or chlorinated derivative (7) can be treated with a primary amine in the presence of an inorganic base such as caesium or potassium carbonate in an inert organic solvent such as dimethylformamide or acetonitrile at a temperature of 20-100° C. for 2 to 48 hours in order to produce derivative (8). The nitro function of compound (8) can be reduced by treatment with tin chloride dihydrate in an inert solvent such as ethyl acetate or dimethylformamide, at a temperature of 60-80° C. for 3 to 15 hours, or by catalytic hydrogenation in the presence of 10% palladium on carbon in an inert solvent such as methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate or a mixture of these solvents, at a temperature of 18-25° C., for 2 to 8 hours, in order to produce the dianiline (9). The derivative (9) is then treated with an isothiocyanate in the presence of a coupling agent such as diisopropylcarbodiimide or dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride or chloroform at a temperature of 20-70° C. for 2 to 72 hours in order to produce derivative (10). Alternatively, derivative (9) can be treated with an isothiocyanate in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride, chloroform or ethanol at a temperature of 20-80° C. for 1-16 hours, then the resultant thiourea can be treated with methyl iodide or yellow mercury (II) oxide in the presence of a catalytic quantity of sulphur in a polar solvent such as methanol or ethanol for 2 to 24 hours at a temperature of 20-80° C. in order to produce (10). The methyl ester (10) can then be saponified in the presence of an inorganic base such as lithium hydroxide dihydrate in a mixture of polar solvents such as water and tetrahydrofuran at a temperature of 20 to 70° C. for 3 to 17 hours. The resultant carboxylic acid (11) can be coupled with a primary or secondary amine in the presence of a coupling agent such as diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) or carbonyldiimidazole (CDI), with or without 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) in an inert organic solvent such as methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran or dimethylformamide at ambient temperature for 3 to 24 hours in order to produce the corresponding amide (6) which can be isolated, either by flash chromatography on silica gel, or by the addition to the reaction mixture of a nucleophilic reagent supported on a polymer such as for example an aminomethylpolystyrene resin and an electrophilic reagent supported on a polymer such as for example methylisothiocyanate-polystyrene resin, followed by filtration and evaporation of the filtrate.

EXAMPLE B1 1-(3-aminopropyl)-6-(piperidin-1-ylcarbonyl)-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine dihydrochloride

Stage 1: methyl 3-fluoro-4-nitrobenzoate

A solution of trimethylsilyldiazomethane (2M in hexane, 50 ml, 4 eq) is slowly added to a solution of 3-fluoro-4-nitrobenzoic acid (4.7 g, 1 eq) in methanol (70 ml) until the gas evolution ceases. The excess trimethylsilyldiazomethane is consumed by the dropwise addition of acetic acid until the solution becomes discoloured. The mixture is then concentrated under reduced pressure at a temperature of approximately 40° C. Water (200 ml) and dichloromethane (300 ml) are added to the residue. After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The solid obtained is washed with petroleum ether and dried (4.4 g; 87% yield).

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 4.0 (s, 3H), 7.97 (m, 2H), 8.11 (d, 1H).

Stage 2: methyl 3-({3-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]propyl}amino)-4-nitrobenzoate

A mixture of methyl 3-fluoro-4-nitrobenzoate (5.8 g, 1 eq), N-Boc-1,3-diaminopropane (5.75 g, 1.1 eq) and potassium carbonate (8.04 g, 2 eq) in acetonitrile (200 ml) is heated under reflux for 2 hours then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue is taken up in dichloromethane (200 ml) and water (100 ml). After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The solid obtained is washed with petroleum ether and dried (10.2 g; 99% yield).

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ1.45 (s, 9H), 1.95 (m, 2H), 3.30 (m, 2H), 3.44 (m, 2H), 3.95 (s, 3H), 4.67 (m, 1H), 7.25 (m, 1H), 7.55 (s, 1H), 8.04 (m, 1H), 8.22 (m, 1H).

Stage 3: methyl 4-amino-3-({3-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]propyl}amino)benzoate

Methyl 3-({3-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]propyl}amino)-4-nitrobenzoate (10.2 g) in solution in a mixture of ethyl acetate/methanol 3:1 (300 ml), and 10% palladium on carbon (1.02 g) are introduced into an autoclave. After stirring for 4 hours under a hydrogen atmosphere (3 bar) at a temperature of approximately 20° C., the catalyst is eliminated by filtration on celite and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. in order to produce the expected compound in the form of an oil (7.75 g; 83% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=323.4; m/z=324.2 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, CDCl₃): 1.45 (s, 9H), 1.85 (m, 2H), 3.24 (m, 2H), 3.30 (m, 2H), 3.86 (m, 5H), 4.68 (m, 1H), 6.68 (d, 1H), 7.34 (s, 1H), 7.45 (d, 1H).

Stage 4: methyl 1-{3-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]propyl}-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxylate

3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl isothiocyanate (6.6 g, 1.2 eq) and diisopropylcarbodiimide (9.1 g, 3 eq) are successively added to a solution of methyl 4-amino-3-({3-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]propyl}amino)benzoate (7.75 g, 1 eq) in tetrahydrofuran (130 ml). The mixture is heated under reflux for 16 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Water (100 ml) and dichloromethane (200 ml) are added to the residue obtained. After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: heptane/ethyl acetate 8:2 to 3:7) produces the expected compound in the form of a solid which is washed with ether (4.4 g; —36% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=514.5; m/z=515.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, CDCl₃): 1.54 (s, 9H), 2.11 (m, 2H), 3.26 (m, 2H), 3.83 (m, 3H), 3.90 (s, 3H), 3.93 (s, 6H), 4.22 (m, 2H), 5.03 (m, 1H), 7.23 (s, 2H), 7.53 (d, 1H), 7.90 (s, 1H), 7.92 (d, 1H), 9.12 (m, 1H).

Stage 5: 1-{3-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]propyl}-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) amino]-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxylic acid

Lithium hydroxide (2.18 g, 6 eq) is added to a solution of methyl 1-{3-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]propyl}-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxylate (4.4 g, 1 eq) in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran (40 ml) and water (30 ml). The mixture is heated under reflux for 18 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Dichloromethane (150 ml) and water (100 ml) are added to the residue. The mixture is acidified by the addition of acetic acid to pH 5. After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The solid obtained is washed with ethyl ether (3.95 g; 93%).

MS/LC: calculated MM=500.5; m/z=501.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): 1.37 (s, 9H), 1.83 (m, 2H), 3.03 (m, 2H), 3.61 (s, 3H), 3.80 (s, 6H), 4.27 (m, 2H), 7.0 (m, 1H), 7.31 (s, 2H), 7.35 (d, 1H), 7.71 (d, 1H), 7.87 (s, 1H), 8.97 (s, 1H).

Stage 6: 1-(3-aminopropyl)-6-(piperidin-1-ylcarbonyl)-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine dihydrochloride

A solution of carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) (18 mg, 1.1 eq) in chloroform (0.2 ml) is added to a solution of 1-{3-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]propyl}-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxylic acid (50 mg, 1 eq) in tetrahydrofuran (0.45 ml) and dimethylformamide (0.05 ml). The mixture is stirred for 16 hours at a temperature of approximately 20° C., then a solution of piperidine (17 mg, 2 eq) in tetrahydrofuran (0.2 ml) is added. After stirring for 18 hours at a temperature of approximately 20° C., the mixture is diluted with dichloromethane (3 ml), and aminomethylpolystyrene resin (2 eq), TBD-methyl-polystyrene resin (2 eq) and methylisothiocyanate-polystyrene resin (4 eq) are added. After stirring for 6 hours at approximately 20° C., the mixture is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue obtained is dissolved in ethyl acetate (0.5 ml) and a solution of hydrochloric acid (1N in diethyl ether, 3 ml) is added. After stirring for 1 hour at a temperature of approximately 20° C., the precipitate obtained is filtered and dried in order to produce the expected compound (35 mg, 65%).

MS/LC: calculated MM=467.56; m/z=467.9 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): 1.48-1.63 (m, 6H), 2.05 (m, 2H), 2.90 (m, 2H), 3.50 (m, 4H), 3.65 (s, 3H), 3.79 (s, 6H), 4.45 (m, 2H), 7.10-7.60 (m, 5H), 7.54 (m, 1H), 7.94 (m, 3H), 8.41 (m, 1H), 14.3 (m, 1H).

According to reaction diagram B and in a fashion analogous to the procedure described for the synthesis of 1-(3-aminopropyl)-6-(piperidin-1-ylcarbonyl)-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine dihydrochloride, the following compounds were prepared:

in which R₁R₂N represents one of the radicals below:

R₃ represents the radical below:

and R₄ represents one of the radicals below:

C. Preparation According to Reaction Diagram C:

As described in diagram C, the derivative (12), prepared according to reaction diagrams A or B can be treated with an organic or inorganic acid such as trifluoroacetic acid or hydrochloric acid (aqueous or in gaseous form) in an aprotic solvent such as dichloromethane, diethyl ether or ethyl acetate at a temperature of 0-20° C. for 0.5 to 5 hours, in order to produce the amine (13). The amine (13) can react with an aldehyde in a protic or aprotic solvent, such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran or methanol, for 1 to 15 hours at a temperature of 0-50° C. The resultant imine is then reduced in situ by a reducing agent supported or not supported on a resin, preferably sodium triacetoxyborohydride, sodium cyanoborohydride or borohydride supported on a resin, with or without the presence of an acid such as acetic acid, at a temperature of 20 to 50° C. for a duration of 0.2 to 5 hours, in order to produce compound (14). The secondary amine (14) can optionally undergo a second reducing amination under the same operating conditions as those described previously in order to produce the tertiary amine (14′).

EXAMPLE C1 N,N-diisobutyl-1-[3-(neopentylamino)propyl]-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide dihydrochloride

Stage 1: 1-(3-aminopropyl)-N,N-diisobutyl-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide

A current of dry HCl is passed through a solution of tert-butyl 3-{6 [(diisobutylamino)carbonyl]-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl}propylcarbamate (350 mg; prepared according to diagram A) in ethyl acetate (30 ml), cooled down to 0° C., until TLC (eluent: 100% ethyl acetate) shows the total disappearance of the starting product. The mixture is then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The solid obtained is triturated in ethyl ether then filtered, washed with dichloromethane and dried. The dihydrochloride obtained is taken up in dichloromethane and water saturated with sodium hydrogen carbonate. After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. in order to produce the expected compound in the form of the free base (275 mg; 94% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=511.6; m/z=512.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.82 (m, 12H), 1.87 (m, 4H), 2.58 (m, 2H), 3.21 (m, 4H), 3.62 (s, 3H), 3.78 (s, 6H), 4.25 (t, 2H), 7.0 (AB, 1H), 7.20 (s, 2H), 7.26 (s, 1H), 7.34 (AB, 1H).

Stage 2: N,N-diisobutyl-1-[3-(neopentylamino)propyl]-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) amino]-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide dihydrochloride

A solution of 1-(3-aminopropyl)-N,N-diisobutyl-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide (100 mg, 1 eq) and trimethylacetaldehyde (25 mg, 1.5 eq) in dichloromethane (1 ml) is stirred for 4 hours at a temperature of approximately 20° C. The mixture is diluted with methanol (1 ml) then sodium triacetoxyborohydride is added (41 mg, 2 eq). After 1 hour at a temperature of approximately 20° C., dichloromethane (20 ml) and water saturated with sodium hydrogen carbonate (10 ml) are added to the mixture. After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: 100% dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 9: 1) produces the expected compound in the form of a base. The corresponding hydrochloride salt is formed by adding a 1N solution of hydrochloric acid in ether. The precipitate obtained is filtered and dried in order to produce the expected dihydrochloride compound (83 mg, 65% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=581.8; m/z=582.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.67 (m, 6H), 0.95 (m, 6H), 0.99 (s, 9H), 1.82 (m, 1H), 2.06 (m, 1H), 2.27 (m, 2H), 2.71 (m, 2H), 3.10 (m, 4H), 3.28 (m, 2H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 3.81 (s, 6H), 4.58 (t, 2H), 6.99 (m, 2H), 7.22 (AB, 1H), 7.41 (AB, 1H), 7.69 (s, 1H), 8.72 (m, 2H), 11.42 (m, 1H), 13.02 (m, 1H).

Preparation According to Reaction Diagram C′:

The compounds (14) for which s=3 can also be prepared according to the following diagram C′:

As described in diagram C′, the derivative (15) prepared according to reaction diagram A can be treated either with an organic acid such as pyridinium tosylate or paratoluenesulphonic acid in an aprotic solvent such as acetone in the presence of water, at a temperature of 20-70° C. for 2 to 12 hours, or by an inorganic acid such as aqueous hydrogen chloride in an aprotic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran at a temperature of 0-20° C. for 6 to 18 hours in order to produce compound (16). The aldehyde (16) can then be treated with an amine in a protic or aprotic solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran or methanol for 1 to 18 hours at a temperature of 20° C. The resultant imine is then reduced in situ by a reducing agent, preferably sodium triacetoxyborohydride or sodium cyanoborohydride, in the presence or absence of an acid such as acetic acid, at a temperature of 20-50° C. for a duration of 0.2 to 6 hours, in order to produce compound (17). The secondary amine (17) can optionally undergo a second reducing amination under the same operating conditions as those described previously in order to produce the tertiary amine (17′).

EXAMPLE C1′ 2-[(4-acetylphenyl)amino]-1-{3-[cyclohexylmethyl amino]propyl}-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide dihydrochloride

Stage 1: 3-{[2-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)ethyl]amino}-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-4-nitrobenzamide

A mixture of 3-fluoro-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-4-nitrobenzamide prepared according to Example A1 (1.86 g, 1 eq), 2-(2-aminoethyl)-1,3-dioxolane (0.8 g, 1.2 eq) and potassium carbonate (1.58 g, 2 eq) in acetonitrile (150 ml) is heated under reflux for 3 hours then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue is taken up in dichloromethane (150 ml) and water (60 ml). After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: heptane/ethyl acetate 8:2 to 7:3) produces the expected compound in the form of an orange-yellow oil (2.4 g; 98% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=421.5; m/z=422.2 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.68 (d, 6H), 0.92 (d, 6H), 1.31-1.50 (m, 5H), 1.61 (m, 1H), 1.97 (m, 2H), 3.10 (m, 2H), 3.37-3.48 (m, 4H), 3.80 (m, 2H), 3.91 (m, 2H), 4.94 (t, 1H), 6.55 (d, 1H), 6.89 (s, 1H), 8.10 (d, 1H), 8.39 (t, 1H).

Stage 2: 4-amino-3-{[2-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)ethyl]amino}-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl) benzamide

3-{[2-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)ethyl]amino}-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-4-nitrobenzamide (2.4 g) in solution in a mixture of ethyl acetate/methanol 2:1 (100 ml), and 10% palladium on carbon (240 mg) are introduced into an autoclave. After stirring for 4 hours under a hydrogen atmosphere (3 bar) at a temperature of approximately 20° C., the catalyst is eliminated by filtration on celite and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. in order to produce the expected compound in the form of an oil (2.02 g; 89% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=391.5; m/z=392.2 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.80 (m, 12H), 1.40 (m, 6H), 1.90 (m, 2H), 3.10 (m, 2H), 3.29 (m, 4H), 3.77 (m, 2H), 3.90 (m, 2H), 4.54 (m, 1H), 4.78 (s, 2H), 4.93 (t, 1H), 6.36-6.52 (m, 1H).

Stage 3: 2-[(4-acetylphenyl)amino]-1-[2-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)ethyl]-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide

4-acetylphenyl isothiocyanate (1.1 g, 1.2 eq) and diisopropylcarbodiimide (1.95 g, 3 eq) are successively added to a solution of 4-amino-3-{[2-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)ethyl]amino}-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)benzamide (2 g, 1 eq) in tetrahydrofuran (50 ml). The mixture is heated under reflux for 18 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Water (100 ml) and dichloromethane (200 ml) are added to the residue obtained. After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: heptane/ethyl acetate 4:6) produces the expected compound in the form of a white foam (1.8 g; 66% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=534.7; m/z=535.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.80 (m, 12H), 1.44 (m, 6H), 2.01 (m, 2H), 2.52 (s, 3H), 3.30 (t, 4H), 3.72 (t, 2H), 3.85 (m, 2H), 4.39 (t, 2H), 4.83 (t, 1H), 7.05 (AB, 1H), 7.30 (s, 1H), 7.44 (AB, 1H), 7.96 (s, 4H), 9.37 (s, 1H).

Stage 4: 2-[(4-acetylphenyl)amino]-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1-(3-oxopropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide

A solution of 2-[(4-acetylphenyl)amino]-1-[2-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)ethyl]-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide (900 mg) in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran (30 ml) and aqueous hydrochloric acid (3N, 40 ml) is stirred for 18 hours at a temperature of approximately 20° C. then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Dichloromethane (100 ml) is added to the remaining aqueous phase. After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. in order to produce the expected compound in the form of a beige foam (820 mg, 99% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=490.6; m/z=491.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): 50.68-0.99 (m, 12H), 1.35 (m, 6H), 2.39 (m, 2H), 2.64 (s, 3H), 3.10-3.49 (m, 4H), 3.72 (n, 2H), 4.15 (m, 1H), 4.50 (m, 1H), 5.54 (s, 1H), 7.27 (AB, 1H), 7.39 (AB, 1H), 7.64 (s, 1H), 7.82 (AB, 1H), 8.15 (AB, 1H).

Stage 5: 2-[(4-acetylphenyl)amino]-1-{3-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]propyl}-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide dihydrochloride

A solution of 2-[(4-acetylphenyl)amino]-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1-(3-oxopropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide (100 mg, 1 eq) and aminomethylcyclohexane (46 mg, 2 eq) is stirred for 4 hours at a temperature of approximately 20° C. The mixture is diluted with methanol (1 ml), then sodium triacetoxyborohydride (86 mg, 2 eq) and a few drops of acetic acid are added to produce a pH of 5. After 1 hour at a temperature of approximately 20° C., dichloromethane (20 ml) and water saturated with sodium hydrogen carbonate (10 ml) are added to the mixture. After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: 100% dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 9:1) produces the expected compound in the form of a base. The corresponding hydrochloride salt is formed by adding a 1N solution of hydrochloric acid in ether. The precipitate obtained is filtered and dried in order to produce the expected dihydrochloride compound (83 mg, 62% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=587.8; m/z=588.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.68-0.99 (m, 14H), 1.19 (m, 3H), 1.29-1.82 (m, 12H), 2.59 (s, 3H), 2.73 (m, 2H), 3.07 (t, 2H), 3.21 (m, 2H), 3.43 (m, 2H), 4.64 (t, 2H), 7.24 (AB, 1H), 7.47 (AB, 1H), 7.37 (s, 1H), 7.84 (d, 2H), 8.06 (d, 2H), 8.89 (m, 2H), 11.42 (m, 1H).

According to reaction diagram C or C′ and in a fashion analogous to the procedure described for the synthesis of N,N-diisobutyl-1-[3-(neopentylamino)propyl]-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide dihydrochloride or 2-[(4-acetylphenyl)amino]-1-{3-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]propyl}-N,N-bis(3-methyl butyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide dihydrochloride, the following compounds were prepared:

in which R₃ represents one of the radicals below:

and R₄ represents one of the radicals below:

D. Preparation According to the Reaction Diagram D:

As described in diagram D, the derivative (18) prepared according to reaction diagram A, can be saponified in the presence of an inorganic base such as lithium hydroxide dihydrate in a mixture of polar solvents such as water and tetrahydrofuran at a temperature of 20 to 70° C. for 3 to 17 hours. The resultant carboxylic acid (19) can be coupled with a primary or secondary amine in the presence of a coupling agent such as diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) or carbonyldiimidazole (CDI), with or without 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) in an inert organic solvent such as methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran or dimethylformamide at ambient temperature for 3 to 24 hours in order to produce compound (20).

EXAMPLE D1 1-(3-aminopropyl)-2-({4-[(methylamino)carbonyl]phenyl}amino)-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide dihydrochloride

Stage 1: 4-[(6-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}-1-{3-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl) amino]propyl}-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)amino]benzoic acid

Lithium hydroxide (141 mg, 5 eq) is added to methyl 4-[(6-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}-1-{3-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]propyl}-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)amino]benzoate prepared according to reaction diagram A, Example A1, (405 mg, 1 eq) in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran (4 ml) and water (3 ml). The mixture is heated under reflux for 18 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Dichloromethane (50 ml) and water (20′ ml) are added to the residue. The mixture is acidified by the addition of acetic acid to pH 5. After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The solid obtained is taken up in ethyl ether in order to produce the expected compound (309 mg; 79%).

MS/LC: calculated MM=593.8; m/z=594.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): 0.77 (m, 12H), 1.22-1.55 (m, 6H), 1.36 (s, 9H), 1.83 (m, 2H), 3.03 (m, 2H), 3.33 (m, 4H), 4.28 (m, 2H), 6.95-7.90 (m, 8H), 9.24 (s, 1H).

Stage 2: 1-(3-aminopropyl)-2-({4-[(methylamino)carbonyl]phenyl}amino)-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide dihydrochloride

A solution of 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) (18 mg, 1.1 eq) in chloroform (1 ml) and a solution of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) (13 mg, 1.1 eq) in tetrahydrofuran (1 ml) are successively added to 4-[(6-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}-1-{3-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]propyl}-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)amino]benzoic acid (50 mg, 1 eq) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (1 ml). The mixture is stirred for 1 hour at a temperature of approximately 20° C. then the methylamine is added (2M in THF; 0.86 ml, 2 eq). After stirring for 17 hours at a temperature of approximately 20° C., the mixture is diluted with dichloromethane (3 ml) followed by the addition of aminomethylpolystyrene resin (2 eq), TBD-methyl polystyrene resin (2 eq) and methylisothiocyanate-polystyrene resin (4 eq). After stirring for 6 hours at approximately 20° C., the mixture is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue obtained is dissolved in dichloromethane (3 ml) and washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate. The organic phase is dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated at a temperature of approximately 40° C. The residue obtained is dissolved in ethyl acetate (0.5 ml) and a solution of hydrochloric acid (4N in dioxane, 2 ml) is added. After stirring for 1 hour a temperature of approximately 20° C., the precipitate obtained is filtered and dried in order to produce the expected compound (29 mg; 60% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=506.7; m/z=507.2 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): 0.78 (m, 12H), 1.46 (m, 6H), 2.0 (m, 2H), 2.77 (d, 3H), 2.89 (m, 2H), 3.33 (m, 4H), 4.45 (m, 2H), 7.07 (d, 1H), 7.43 (d, 1H), 7.48 (s, 1H), 7.84 (m, 5H), 7.97 (m, 2H), 8.28 (m, 2H), 9.49 (m, 1H).

According to reaction diagram D and in a fashion analogous to the procedure described for the synthesis of 1-(3-aminopropyl)-2-({4-[(methylamino)carbonyl]phenyl}amino)-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide dihydrochloride, the following compounds were prepared

in which R₃ represents one of the radicals below:

E. Preparation According to Reaction Diagram E:

As described in diagram E, the derivative (21) prepared according to reaction diagram A, can be reduced by treatment with tin chloride dihydrate in an inert solvent such as ethyl acetate or dimethylformamide, at a temperature of 60-80° C. for 3 to 15 hours, or by catalytic hydrogenation in the presence of 10% palladium on carbon in an inert solvent such as methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate or a mixture of these solvents, at a temperature of 18-25° C., for 2 to 8 hours, in order to produce aniline (22). Compound 23 can be treated with an isocyanate in an aprotic solvent such as dichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran at a temperature of 20-60° C. for 2 to 24 hours or alternatively with carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) in an aprotic solvent such as dichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran at a temperature of 0-60° C. for 6 to 24 hours, followed by a primary amine at a temperature of 20-60° C. for 2 to 24 hours, in order to produce the urea (23).

EXAMPLE E1 1-(3-aminopropyl)-2-[(4-{[(methylamino)carbonyl]amino}phenyl)amino]-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide

Stage 1: tert-butyl 3-{6-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}-2-[(4-nitrophenyl) amino]-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl}propylcarbamate

4-nitrophenyl isothiocyanate (305 mg, 1.5 eq) and N-methylcyclohexylcarbodiimide-N-methyl-polystyrene resin (acquired from Novabiochem; charge 1.9 mmol/g; 1.75 g, 3 eq) are successively added to a solution of tert-butyl-3-[(2-amino-5-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}phenyl)amino]propylcarbamate prepared according to Example A1 (500 mg, 1 eq) in tetrahydrofuran (30 ml). The mixture is heated under reflux for 18 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature and filtered on frit. The filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: heptane/ethyl acetate 7:3 to 2:8) produces the expected compound in the form of a yellow solid (584 mg; 88% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM 594.7; m/z=595.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.64-0.95 (m, 12H), 1.36 (s, 9H), 1.31-1.65 (m, 6H), 1.82 (m, 2H), 3.0 (m, 2H), 3.15-3.39 (m, 4H), 4.32 (t, 2H), 6.95 (m, 1H), 7.05 (d, 1H), 7.40 (s, 1H), 7.48 (d, 1H), 8.11 (AB, 2H), 8.26 (AB, 2H), 9.71 (s, 1H).

Stage 2: tert-butyl 3-(2-[(4-aminophenyl)amino]-6-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)propylcarbamate

Tert-butyl 3-{6-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}-2-[(4-nitrophenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl}propylcarbamate (580 mg) in solution in a mixture of ethyl acetate/methanol 3:1 (40 ml), and 10% palladium on carbon (58 mg) are introduced into an autoclave. After stirring for 15 hours under a hydrogen atmosphere (3 bar) at a temperature of approximately 20° C., the catalyst is eliminated by filtration on celite and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. in order to produce the expected compound in the form of a foam (480 mg; 87% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=564.7; m/z=565.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.86 (m, 12H), 1.37 (s, 9H), 1.31-1.58 (m, 6H), 1.79 (m, 2H), 3.01 (m, 2H), 3.15-3.39 (m, 4H), 4.15 (t, 2H), 4.80 (m, 2H), 6.56 (m, 2H), 6.94 (d, 2H), 7.21 (AB, 2H), 7.40 (AB, 2H), 8.45 (s, 1H)

Stage 3: tert-butyl 3-{6-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}-2-[(4-{[(methylamino)carbonyl]amino}phenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl}propyl carbamate dihydrochloride

A solution of carbonyldiimidazole, (CDI) (29 mg, 2 eq) in dichloromethane (2 ml) is added to a solution of tert-butyl 3-(2-[(4-aminophenyl)amino]-6-{[bis (3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)propylcarbamate (50 mg, 1 eq) in dichloromethane (2 ml). The mixture is stirred for 18 hours at a temperature of approximately 20° C. then methylamine is added (2M in THF, 0.440 ml, 10 eq). The mixture is stirred for 4 hours at a temperature of approximately 20° C. then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue is taken up in dichloromethane (7 ml) and a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate (3 ml). After decantation and extractions the combined organic phases are washed with salt water then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: heptane/ethyl acetate 1:1 to 1:9) produces a compound in the form of foam which is dissolved in ethyl acetate (0.5 ml). A solution of hydrochloric acid (2N in diethyl ether, 2 ml) is added and the mixture is stirred for 1 hour at a temperature of approximately 20° C. then the precipitate obtained is filtered and dried in order to produce the expected compound (28 mg, 55% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=521.7; m/z=522.3 (MH+)

According to reaction diagram E and in a fashion analogous to the procedure described for the synthesis of tert-butyl 3-{6-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]carbonyl}-2-[(4-{[(methylamino)carbonyl]amino}phenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl}propyl carbamate dihydrochloride, the following compounds were prepared:

in which R₃ represents one of the radicals below:

and R₄ represents one of the radicals below:

F. Preparation According to Reaction Diagram F:

The compounds of formula (I) according to the invention in which A represents —CH₂—, can be prepared according to the following diagrams F and F′:

As described in diagram F, the derivative (4) prepared according to reaction diagram A, can be reduced to compound (24) using borane or lithium aluminium hydride in an aprotic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or diethyl ether at a temperature of 0 to 70° C., for 18 to 24 hours. The dianiline (24) can then be treated by an isothiocyanate in the presence of a coupling agent supported or not supported on a resin such as diisopropylcarbodiimide or dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or N-methylcyclohexylcarbodiimide N-methyl polystyrene resin in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride, or chloroform at a temperature of 20-70° C. for 2 to 72 hours in order to produce derivative (25).

Preparation According to Reaction Diagram F′:

The compounds (25) can also be prepared according to the following diagram F′:

As described in diagram F′, the amide (6) prepared according to reaction diagrams A or B, can be reduced to the corresponding amine (25) using borane or lithium aluminium hydride in an aprotic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or diethyl ether at a temperature of 0 to 70° C., for 1 to 6 hours.

EXAMPLE F′ 1 6-{[bis(3-methylbutyl)amino]methyl}-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine hydrochloride

A solution of lithium aluminium hydride (0.785 ml; 1 M in THF) is added dropwise to a solution cooled down to 0° C. of 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-2-[(4-methoxyphenyl) amino]-N,N-bis(3-methylbutyl)-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide prepared according to reaction diagram A (80 mg, 1 eq) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (2 ml). The mixture is taken to a temperature of 20° C. then heated at 60° C. for 3 hours. After cooling down to 0° C., the reaction medium is hydrolyzed. After the addition of ethyl acetate, decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: 100% dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 9:1) produces the expected compound in the form of a base. The corresponding hydrochloride salt is formed by adding a 1N solution of hydrochloric acid in diethyl ether (61 mg; 55% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=493.7; m/z=494.4 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.83 (m, 12H), 1.50-1.72 (m, 6H), 2.29 (m, 2H), 2.78 (m, 6H), 2.99 (m, 4H), 3.30 (m, 2H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 4.41 (m, 4H), 6.90-8.50 (m, 7H), 10.5 (m, 1H), 10.85 (m, 1H), 12.9 (m, 1H).

The following compounds were prepared according to reaction diagrams F or F′:

in which R₁R₂N represents one of the radicals below:

in which R₃ represents one of the radicals below:

and R₄ represents one of the radicals below:

G. Preparation According to Reaction Diagram G:

The compounds of formula (I) according to the invention in which A represents —C(O)—C(R_(a))(R_(b))—, can be prepared according to the following diagram G:

As described in diagram G, the derivative (26) can be alkylated in the presence of a strong base such as potassium tertbutylate, by an α-chloroester derivative, in an aprotic polar solvent such as dimethylformamide at a temperature of 0-20° C. for 0.5-2 hours, in order to produce compound (27). The derivative (27) can be optionally alkylated in the presence of a strong base such as sodium hydride and an alkylating agent such as an alkyl iodide in an aprotic solvent such as dimethylformamide at a temperature of 0-20° C. for 1-4 hours, in order to produce compound (28). The ester (28) can be saponified in the presence of an inorganic base such as lithium or potassium hydroxide in a mixture of polar solvents such as water and methanol at a temperature of 20-80° C. for 1-6 hours. The resultant carboxylic acid (29) can be coupled with a primary or secondary amine in the presence of a coupling agent such as diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) or carbonyldiimidazole (CDI), with or without 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) in an inert organic solvent such as methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran or dimethylformamide at ambient temperature for 3 to 24 hours. Alternatively the acid (29) can be treated with thionyl or oxalyl chloride in an aprotic solvent such as dichloromethane or toluene at a temperature of 40-60° C. for 2-16 hours then the acid chloride thus obtained can react with a primary or secondary amine, in the presence of a tertiary base such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine in an aprotic solvent such as dichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran at a temperature of 0-20° C. over 0.5-4 hours in order to produce the amide (30). Treatment of the fluorinated or chlorinated derivative (30) with a primary amine in the presence of an inorganic base such as caesium or potassium carbonate in an inert organic solvent such as dimethylformamide or acetonitrile at a temperature of 20-100° C. for 2 to 48 hours leads to the derivative (31). The nitro function of compound (31) is reduced by treatment with tin chloride dihydrate in an inert solvent such as ethyl acetate or dimethylformamide at a temperature of 60-80° C. for 3 to 15 hours, or by catalytic hydrogenation in the presence of 10% palladium on carbon in an inert solvent such as methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate or a mixture of these solvents, at a temperature of 18-25° C., for 2 to 8 hours in order to produce the dianiline (32). The derivative (32) is then treated with an isothiocyanate in the presence of a coupling agent supported or not supported on a resin such as diisopropylcarbodiimide or dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or N-methylcyclohexylcarbodiimide N-methyl polystyrene resin in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride, or chloroform at a temperature of 20-70° C. for 2 to 72 hours in order to produce the derivative (33). Alternatively, the derivative (32) can be treated with an isothiocyanate in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride, chloroform or ethanol at a temperature of 20-80° C. for 1-16 hours then the resultant thiourea can be treated with methyl iodide or yellow mercury (II) oxide in the presence of a catalytic quantity of sulphur in a polar solvent such as methanol or ethanol for 2 to 24 hours at a temperature of 20-80° C. in order to produce (33). Compound (6) can be isolated either by flash chromatography on silica gel, or by the addition to the reaction mixture of a nucleophilic reagent supported on a polymer such as for example an aminomethylpolystyrene resin and/or an electrophilic reagent supported on a polymer such as for example methylisothiocyanate-polystyrene resin, followed by filtration and evaporation of the filtrate.

EXAMPLE G1 2-{2-[(4-acetylphenyl)amino]-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1H-benzimidazol-6-yl}-N,N-diisobutyl-2-methylpropanamide dihydrochloride

Stage 1: ethyl 2-(3-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)propanoate

Potassium tert-butylate (11.22 g, 2 eq) is added to a solution of DMF (80 ml) cooled down to 0° C. A solution of 1-chloro-2-nitrobenzene (7.87 g, 1 eq) and ethyl 2-chloropropanoate (7 ml, 1.1 eq) is added dropwise over 45 minutes to the mixture whilst keeping the reaction temperature below 5° C. At the end of the addition, stirring is maintained for 2 hours at 0° C., then the mixture is hydrolyzed at this temperature with a 1N solution of hydrochloric acid and ethyl acetate is added. After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: heptane/dichloromethane 8:2 to 6:4) produces the expected compound in the form of a yellow oil (8.28 g; 64% yield).

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 1.14 (t, 3H), 1.42 (d, 3H), 3.99 (q, 1H), 4.08 (m, 2H), 7.52 (AB, 1H), 7.71 (s, 1H), 8.05 (AB, 1H).

Stage 2: ethyl 2-(3-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-2-methylpropanoate

A solution of ethyl 2-(3-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)propanoate (14.1 g) is added dropwise to a suspension of sodium hydride (60% in oil, 2.4 g, 1.1 eq) in DMF (15 ml), cooled down to 0° C. After stirring for 1 hour at this temperature, a solution of methyl iodide (3.72 ml, 1.1 eq) in DMF (40 ml) is added dropwise to the mixture. Stirring is continued for 3 hours at ambient temperature. The reaction medium is cooled down to 0° C. then ethyl acetate, water saturated with sodium hydrogen carbonate are added dropwise, then water. After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure in order to produce the expected compound in the form of an oil which crystallizes. The crystals are washed with heptane and dried (13.8 g; 94% yield).

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 1.12 (t, 3H), 1.54 (s, 6H), 4.09 (q, 1H), 7.50 (AB, 1H), 7.66 (s, 1H), 8.04 (AB, 1H).

Stage 3: 2-(3-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-2-methylpropanoic acid

A 2N solution of potassium hydroxide (18 ml) is added at a temperature of approximately 20° C. to a solution of ethyl 2-(3-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-2-methylpropanoate (1 g) in methanol (20 ml). The mixture is then heated at 80° C. for 1.5 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature. The methanol is evaporated by concentration of the mixture under reduced pressure. The remaining aqueous phase is washed with dichloromethane then cooled down to 0° C. and acidified with acetic acid. After the addition of dichloromethane, decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure in order to produce the expected compound in the form of an oil which crystallizes (852 mg, 95% yield).

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 1.52 (s, 6H), 7.53 (AB, 1H), 7.66 (s, 1H), 8.04 (AB, 1H), 12.72 (s, 1H).

Stage 4: 2-(3-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-N,N-diisobutyl-2-methylpropanamide

Thionyl chloride (0.54 ml, 4 eq) is added to a solution of 2-(3-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-2-methylpropanoic acid (500 mg) in dichloromethane (1 ml). The mixture is heated under reflux for 16 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature. The solvent is evaporated off under reduced pressure at 40° C. (co-evaporation with toluene). Diisopropylethylamine (0.42 ml, 1.2 eq) and diisobutylamine (0.36 ml, 1 eq) are successively added to a solution of the acid chloride thus obtained in dichloromethane (1 ml), cooled down to 0° C. At the end of the addition, stirring is continued for 3 hours at ambient temperature then the mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue is dissolved in ethyl ether and the organic phase is washed successively with 1N soda, a saturated solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, salt water then dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: heptane/ethyl acetate 8:2 to 7:3) produces the expected compound in the form of an oil which crystallizes (0.585 g; 82% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=354.9; m/z=355.2 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 0.58 (d, 6H), 0.90 (d, 6H), 1.58 (m, 6H), 1.74 (m, 1H), 1.95 (m, 1H), 2.65 (d, 2H), 3.27 (d, 2H), 7.30 (AB, 1H), 7.44 (s, 1H), 7.91 (AB, 1H).

Stage 5: 2-(3-{[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]amino}-4-nitrophenyl)-N,N-diisobutyl-2-methylpropanamide

A mixture of 2-(3-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-N,N-diisobutyl-2-methylpropanamide (78 mg, 1 eq), 3-dimethylaminopropylamine (45 mg, 2 eq) and potassium carbonate (62 mg, 2 eq) in DMF (2 ml) is heated under reflux for 3 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature. The residue is taken up in ethyl acetate (20 ml) and water (8 ml). After decantation and extractions, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: 100% dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 8:2) produces the expected compound in the form of a yellow oil (44 mg; 48% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=420.6; m/z=421.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 0.60 (d, 6H), 0.90 (d, 6H), 1.57 (m, 6H), 1.75 (m, 1H), 1.88 (m, 2H), 1.97 (m, 1H), 2.28 (s, 6H), 2.45 (t, 1H), 2.75 (d, 2H), 3.26 (d, 2H), 3.34 (m, 2H), 6.57 (m, 1H), 6.68 (s, 1H), 8.15 (m, 1H), 8.49 (m, 1H).

Stage 6: 2-(4-amino-3-{[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]amino}phenyl)-N,N-diisobutyl-2-methylpropanamide 2-(3-{[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]amino}-4-nitrophenyl)-N,N-diisobutyl-2-methylpropanamide (44 mg) in solution in a mixture of ethyl acetate/ethanol 2:1 (3 ml), and 10% palladium on carbon (5 mg) are introduced into an autoclave. After stirring for 4 hours under a hydrogen atmosphere (3 bar) at a temperature of approximately 20° C., the catalyst is eliminated by filtration on celite and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. in order to produce the expected compound in the form of an oil (39 mg; 95% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=390.6; m/z=391.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.49 (m, 6H), 0.81 (m, 6H), 1.36 (s, 6H), 1.65 (m, 1H), 1.72 (m, 2H), 1.87 (m, 1H), 2.20 (s, 6H), 2.39 (t, 2H), 2.81 (m, 2H), 2.97 (t, 2H), 3.11 (m, 2H), 4.56 (m, 2H), 6.18 (s, 1H), 6.30 (AB, 1H), 6.48 (AB, 1H).

Stage 7: 2-{2-[(4-acetylphenyl)amino]-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1H-benzimidazol-6-yl}-N,N-diisobutyl-2-methylpropanamide dihydrochloride

4-acetylphenyl isothiocyanate (14 mg, 1.2 eq) and N-methylcyclohexylcarbodiimide-N-methyl-polystyrene resin (acquired from Novabiochem; charge 1.9 mmol/g; 210 mg, 4 eq) are successively added to a solution of 2-(4-amino-3-{[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]amino}phenyl)-N,N-diisobutyl-2-methylpropanamide (39 mg, 1 eq) in tetrahydrofuran (2 ml). The mixture is heated under reflux for 17 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature and filtered. The filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: 100% dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 9:1) produces the expected compound in form of a base (409 mg; 60% yield). The corresponding hydrochloride salt is formed by adding a 1N solution of hydrochloric acid in ether. The precipitate obtained is filtered and dried in order to produce the expected dihydrochloride compound (51 mg, 85% yield).

MS/LC: calculated MM=533.7; m/z=534.4 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.40 (m, 6H), 0.82 (m, 6H), 1.53 (s, 6H), 1.64 (m, 1H), 1.89 (m, 1H), 2.21 (m, 2H), 2.59 (s, 3H), 2.75 (m, 8H), 3.15 (m, 2H), 3.25 (m, 2H), 4.60 (t, 2H), 7.10 (AB, 1H), 7.41 (AB, 1H), 7.56 (s, 1H), 7.82 (m, 2H), 8.05 (m, 2H), 10.79 (m, 1H), 11.4 (m, 1H).

According to reaction diagram G, the following compounds were prepared:

in which R₁R₂N represents one of the radicals below:

-   -   R₃ represents one of the radicals below:         and R₄ represents one of the radicals below:

A subject of the invention is also a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) as defined above, characterized, in that the compound of general formula:

in which A, X, R₁, R₂, R₄ have the meaning indicated above, is treated with an isothiocyanate of general formula R₃N═C═S in which R₃ has the meaning indicated above, in the presence of a coupling agent or of yellow mercury (II) oxide in the presence of sulphur, for a period of 3 to 48 hours, in a protic or aprotic solvent, at a temperature of 50 to 80° C.

The coupling agent can be supported such as N-methylcyclohexyl carbodiimide N-methyl polystyrene resin or not supported such as diisopropylcarbodiimide, diethylcarbodiimide or dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. A protic solvent such as methanol or ethanol or an aprotic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or acetonitrile can be used.

A subject of the invention is also a compound of general formula (II)

in racemic or enantiomeric form or any combinations of these forms and in which:

-   A represents —CH₂—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—C(R_(a))(R_(b))—; -   X represents —C— or —N—;     -   R_(a) and R_(b) represent, independently, the hydrogen atom or a         (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical;     -   R₁ and R₂ represent, independently, the hydrogen atom, a         (C₁-C₈)alkyl radical optionally substituted by hydroxy,         (C₂-C₆)alkenyl or a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(n)—X₁;     -   X₁ represents (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, adamantyl,         heterocycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, the (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl,         heterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl radicals being optionally         substituted by one or more identical or different substituents         chosen from: —(CH₂)_(n′)—V₁—Y₁, halo, nitro and cyano;     -   V₁ represents —O—, —S— or a covalent bond;     -   Y₁ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical optionally substituted by         one or more identical or different halo radicals; or aryl;     -   n represents an integer from 0 to 6 and n′ an integer from 0 to         2 (it being understood that when n is equal to 0, then X₁         represents neither the hydroxy radical nor the alkoxy radical);     -   or R₁ and R₂ form together with the nitrogen atom to which they         are attached, a heterobicycloalkyl or a heterocycloalkyl         optionally substituted by one or more identical or different         substituents chosen from: hydroxy, (C₁-C₆)alkyl,         (C₁-C₆)hydroxyalkyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, —C(O)NV₁′Y₁ ¹ with         V₁ and Y₁′ independently representing the hydrogen atom or a         (C₁-C₆)alkyl, and heterocycloalkyl; or R₁ and R₂ form together a         radical of formula: -   R₃ represents —(CH₂)_(p)-Z₃ or —C(O)-Z′₃     -   Z₃ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₂-C₆)alkenyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy,         (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl,         aryl or heteroaryl radical,     -   the (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl radicals being         optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl,     -   the aryl radical being optionally substituted by one or more         identical or different substituents chosen from: halo, nitro,         azido or —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃;     -   V₃ represents —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —NH—C(O)—,         —C(O)—NR′₃—, —NH—C(O)—NR′₃— or a covalent bond;     -   Y₃ represents the hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical         optionally substituted by one or more identical or different         halo radicals;     -   or Z₃ represents a radical of formula     -   Z′₃ represents an aryl radical optionally substituted by one or         more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo,         nitro and —(CH₂)_(p″)—V′₃—Y′₃;     -   V′₃ represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —C(O)—NR′₃—, —NH—C(O)—,         —NH—C(O)——NR′₃— or a covalent bond;     -   Y′₃ represents the hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical         optionally substituted by one or more identical or different         halo radicals;     -   R′₃ represents the hydrogen atom, a (C₁-C₆)alkyl or         (C₁-C₆)alkoxy radical;     -   p, p′ and p″ represent, independently, an integer from 0 to 4; -   R₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄ -   R′₄ represents a heterocycloalkyl containing at least one nitrogen     atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl or aralkyl; a     heteroaryl containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally     substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or a radical of formula —NW₄W′₄     -   W₄ represents the hydrogen atom or (C₁-C₈)alkyl;     -   W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄;     -   Z₄ represents the hydrogen atom, (C₁-C₈)alkyl optionally         substituted by one or more identical or different substituents         chosen from: (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio and hydroxy;         (C₂-C₆)alkenyl; (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl optionally substituted by one         or more identical or different (C₁-C₆)alkyl substituents;         cyclohexene; heteroaryl; aryl optionally substituted by one or         more identical or different radicals chosen from:         —(CH₂)_(s″)—V₄—Y₄, hydroxy, halo, nitro and cyano;         -   V₄ represents —O—, —S—, —NH—C(O)—, —NV₄′- or a covalent             bond;         -   Y₄ represents a hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical             optionally substituted by one or more identical or different             halo radicals;         -   V₄′ represents a hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl;         -   s″ represents an integer from 0 to 4;     -   or Z₄ represents a radical of formula     -   s and s′ represent, independently, an integer from 0 to 6;         and when R₃ represents —C(O)-Z′₃ and R₄ represents a radical of         formula —(CH₂)_(s)—NW₄W′₄ and W₄ and W′₄ represent,         independently, the hydrogen atom or the (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical,         then —(CH₂)_(s) represents neither the ethylene radical nor the         —(CH₂)—CH((C₁-C₄)alkyl)- radical;

Preferably, the invention relates to compounds of formula II as defined above and in which

-   A represents —C(O)— and X represents —C—; -   R₁ and R₂ represent, independently, a hydrogen atom, a (C₁-C₈)alkyl     radical optionally substituted by hydroxy, (C₂-C₆)alkenyl or a     radical of formula —(CH₂)_(n)—X₁;     -   X₁ represents (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, aryl or         heteroaryl,         -   the aryl radical being optionally substituted by one or more             identical or different substituents chosen from:             —(CH₂)_(n′)—V₁—Y₁, halo;         -   V₁ represents —O— or a covalent bond;         -   Y₁ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical optionally substituted             by one or more identical or different halo radicals; or             aryl;     -   or R₁ and R₂ form together with the nitrogen atom to which they         are attached, a heterocycloalkyl optionally substituted by one         or more identical or different substituents chosen from:         hydroxy, (C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₁-C₆)hydroxyalkyl,         (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, —C(O)NV₁′Y₁′ with V₁′ and Y₁′         independently representing the hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl,         and heterocycloalkyl; or R₁ and R₂ form together a radical of         formula: -   R₃ represents —(CH₂)_(p)-Z₃ or —C(O)-Z′₃     -   Z₃ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl,         heteroaryl, or aryl radical optionally substituted by one or         more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo,         nitro or —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃;     -   V₃ represents —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —C(O)—NR′₃—,         —NH—C(O)—, —NH—C(O)—NR′₃— or a covalent bond;     -   Y₃ represents the hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical         optionally substituted by one or more identical or different         halo radicals;     -   or Z₃ represents a radical of formula     -   Z′₃ represents an aryl radical optionally substituted by one or         more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo,         nitro and —(CH₂)_(p″)—V′₃—Y′₃;     -   V′₃ represents —O— or a covalent bond;     -   Y′₃ represents the hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical         optionally substituted by one or more identical or different         halo radicals;     -   R′₃ represents the hydrogen atom, a (C₁-C₆)alkyl or         (C₁-C₆)alkoxy radical;     -   p is equal to 0 or 1, and p′ and p″ are equal to 0; -   R₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄     -   R′₄ represents a heterocycloalkyl containing at least one         nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl or         benzyl; a heteroaryl containing at least one nitrogen atom; or a         radical of formula —NW₄W′₄;     -   W₄ represents the hydrogen atom or (C₁-C₈)alkyl;     -   W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄;     -   Z₄ represents the hydrogen atom, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl         or aryl;         and more particularly -   the cycloalkyl radical is chosen from the cyclopropyl, cyclohexyl     and cycloheptyl radicals, -   the heterocycloalkyl radical is chosen from the pyrrolidinyl,     piperidinyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, azacycloheptyl, azacyclooctyl     and decahydro-isoquinolinyl radicals, -   the aryl radical is the phenyl radical, -   the heteroaryl radical is chosen from the furyl, pyridyl and     imidazolyl radicals,     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Very preferably, the invention also relates to compounds of formula II as defined above and in which

-   A represents —C(O)— and X represents —C—; -   R₁ and R₂ represent, independently, a (C₁-C₈)alkyl radical; -   R₃ represents —(CH₂)_(p)-Z₃     -   Z₃ represents a phenyl radical optionally substituted by one or         more identical or different substituents chosen from: nitro or         —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃;     -   V₃ represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —C(O)—NR′₃—, NH—C(O)—,         —NH—C(O)—NR′₃—;     -   Y₃ represents the hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical;     -   R′₃ represents the hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkoxy radical;     -   p is equal to 0 or 1; p′ is equal to 0; -   R₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄ -   R′₄ represents a heterocycloalkyl containing at least one nitrogen     atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or a radical of     formula —NW₄W′₄;     -   W₄ represents the hydrogen atom or (C₁-C₈)alkyl;     -   W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄;     -   Z₄ represents the hydrogen atom or (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl;     -   s represents an integer from 2 to 4; s′ represents an integer         from 0 to 4;         and more particularly the heterocycloalkyl radical represented         by R′₄ is the pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl or         piperazinyl radical, and the cycloalkyl represented by Z₄ is         cyclohexyl;         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Preferably also, the invention relates to compounds of formula II as defined above and in which

-   A represents —C(O)—C(R_(a))(R_(b))—; X represents —C—; -   R_(a) and R_(b) represent, independently, a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical; -   R₁ and R₂ represent, independently, a (C₁-C₈)alkyl radical; -   R₃ represents —(CH₂)_(p)-Z₃     -   Z₃ represents a phenyl radical optionally substituted by one or         more identical or different substituents of formula         —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃;     -   V₃ represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —C(O)—NR′₃—,         —NH—C(O)—NR′₃—;     -   Y₃ represents the hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical;     -   R′₃ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl or (C₁-C₆)alkoxy radical;     -   p and p′ are equal to 0; -   R₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄ -   R′₄ represents a heterocycloalkyl containing at least one nitrogen     atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or a radical of     formula —NW₄W′₄     -   W₄ represents the hydrogen atom or (C₁-C₈)alkyl;     -   W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄;     -   Z₄ represents the hydrogen atom, the phenyl radical or a         heteroaryl;     -   s represents an integer from 2 to 4; s′ represents an integer         from 0 to 4;         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Preferably also, the invention relates to compounds of formula II as defined above and in which

-   A represents —CH₂—; X represents —C—; -   R₁ and R₂ represent, independently, a (C₁-C₈)alkyl radical; -   R₃ represents —(CH₂)_(p)-Z₃     -   Z₃ represents a phenyl radical optionally substituted by one or         more identical or different substituents of formula         —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃;     -   V₃ represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —C(O)—NR′₃—,         —NH—C(O)—NR′₃—;     -   Y₃ represents the hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical;     -   R′₃ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl or (C₁-C₆)alkoxy radical;     -   p and p′ are equal to 0; -   R₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄ -   R′₄ represents a heterocycloalkyl containing at least one nitrogen     atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or a radical of     formula —NW₄W′₄     -   W₄ represents the hydrogen atom or (C₁-C₈)alkyl;     -   W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄;     -   Z₄ represents the hydrogen atom;     -   s represents an integer from 2 to 4; s′ represents an integer         from 0 to 4;         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The compounds I and II of the present invention have useful pharmacological properties. It has thus been discovered that the compounds I and II of the present invention have a good affinity for certain sub-types of melanocortin receptors, in particular the MC4 receptors.

The compounds of the present invention can thus be used in different therapeutic applications. They can advantageously be used for treating the pathological states or diseases in which one or more melanocortin receptors are involved such as inflammatory conditions, weight disorders (obesity, cachexia, anorexia), sexual activity disorders (erective disorders), pain, but also mental health problems (anxiety, depression), drug addiction, skin diseases (acne, dermatoses, melanomas). Hereafter, in the experimental part, an illustration will be found of the pharmacological properties of the compounds of the invention.

A subject of the present Application is also pharmaceutical compositions containing, as active ingredient, at least one product of formula I as defined above, as well as the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of said product of formula I, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable support.

By pharmaceutically acceptable salt, is understood in particular addition salts of inorganic acids such as hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, sulphate, phosphate, diphosphate and nitrate or of organic acids such as acetate, maleate, fumarate, tartrate, succinate, citrate, lactate, methanesulphonate, p-toluenesulphonate, pamoate and stearate. Also within the scope of the present invention, when they can be used, the salts forested from bases such as sodium or potassium hydroxide. For other examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts, reference can be made to “Salt selection for basic drugs”, Int. J. Pharm. (1986), 33, 201-217.

A subject of the present Application is also the use of the compounds according to the present invention, for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of weight disorders such as obesity, cachexia and more particularly cancerous cachexia, AIDS cachexia, old-age cachexia, cardiac cachexia, renal cachexia, cachexia in rheumatoid arthritis, and anorexia, the treatment of pain and more particularly neuropathic pain, mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, sexual activity disorders such as erective disorders.

The pharmaceutical composition can be in the form of a solid, for example, powders, granules, tablets, gelatin capsules or suppositories. Appropriate solid supports can be, for example, calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, talc, sugars, lactose, dextrin, starch, gelatin, cellulose, methyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidine and wax.

A subject of the present invention is also the use of a compound of general formula (I′)

in racemic or enantiomeric form or any combinations of these forms and in which:

-   A′ represents —CH₂—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—C(R_(a))(R_(b))—; -   X′ represents —CH—; -   R_(a) and R_(b) represent, independently, the hydrogen atom or a     (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical; -   R′, represents the hydrogen atom; a (C₁-C₈)alkyl radical optionally     substituted by hydroxy or one or more identical or different halo     radicals; (C₂-C₆)alkenyl; or a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(n)—X₁; -   R′₂ represents a (C₁-C₈)alkyl radical optionally substituted by     hydroxy or one or more identical or different halo radicals;     (C₂-C₆)alkenyl; or a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(n)—X₁; -   each X₁ independently represents (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl,     adamantyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl,     -   the (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl         radicals being optionally substituted by one or more identical         or different substituents chosen from: —(CH₂)_(n′)—V₁—Y₁, halo,         nitro, cyano and aryl;     -   V₁ represents —O—, —S— or a covalent bond;     -   Y₁ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical optionally substituted by         one or more identical or different halo radicals;     -   n represents an integer from 0 to 6 and n′ an integer from 0 to         2 (it being understood that when n is equal to 0, then X₁ does         not represent the alkoxy radical)     -   or R₁ and R₂ form together with the nitrogen atom to which they         are attached, a heterobicycloalkyl or a heterocycloalkyl         optionally substituted by one or more identical or different         substituents chosen from: hydroxy, (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally         substituted by hydroxy, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, heterocycloalkyl         and —C(O)NV₁′Y₁ ¹ with V₁ and Y₁′ independently representing the         hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or R₁ and R₂ form together a         radical of formula: -   R′₃ represents -Z₃, CR′_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z₃,     —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))—(CH₂)_(p)-Z₃ or —C(O)-Z′₃     -   R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) represent, independently, the hydrogen atom         or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical;     -   Z₃ represents Z_(3a), Z_(3b), Z_(3c), Z_(3d), or Z_(3e);     -   Z_(3a) represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical;     -   Z_(3b) represents a (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio,         (C₁-C₆)alkylamino or di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino radical;     -   Z_(3c) represents an aryl or heteroaryl radical; Z_(3d)         represents a (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, amino-carbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)alkylamino-carbonyl, di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino-carbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)alkyl-C(O)—NH—, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl         radical;     -   the (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl radicals being         optionally substituted by one or more identical or different         substituents chosen from: halo, nitro, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy optionally         substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals,         (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by one or more identical or         different halo radicals, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-carbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, amino-carbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)alkylamino-carbonyl, di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino-carbonyl and         oxy,     -   the aryl and heteroaryl radicals being optionally substituted by         one or more identical or different substituents chosen from:         halo, cyano, nitro, azido, oxy,         (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl-(C₁-C₆)alkenyl,         (C₁-C₆)alkylamino-carbonyl-(C₁-C₆)alkenyl, —SO₂—NR₃, R₃₂,         heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl or —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃;     -   R₃₁ and R₃₂ form together with the nitrogen atom to which they         are attached, a heterocycloalkyl;     -   V₃ represents —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —O—C(O)—, —SO₂—,         —SO₂NH—, —NR′₃—SO₂—, —NR′₃—, —NR′₃—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR′₃—,         —NH—C(O)—NR′₃— or a covalent bond;     -   Y₃ represents the hydrogen atom; a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical         optionally substituted by one or more identical or different         halo radicals; an aryl radical optionally substituted by one or         more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo,         nitro, (C₁-C₆)alkyl and (C₁-C₆)alkoxy; or an aryl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl         radical optionally substituted by one or more identical or         different substituents chosen from: halo, nitro, (C₁-C₆)alkyl         and (C₁-C₆)alkoxy;     -   Z_(3e) represents a radical of formula     -   Z′₃ represents an aryl radical optionally substituted by one or         more identical or different substituents chosen from: halo,         nitro and —(CH₂)_(p″)—V′₃—Y′₃;     -   V′₃ represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —C(O)—NR′₃, —NH—C(O)—NR′₃         or a covalent bond;     -   Y′₃ represents the hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical         optionally substituted by one or more identical or different         halo radicals;     -   R′₃ represents the hydrogen atom, a (C₁-C₆)alkyl or         (C₁-C₆)alkoxy radical;     -   p represents an integer from 1 to 4; p′ and p″ represent,         independently, an integer from 0 to 4; -   R₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄; -   R′₄ represents the guanidine radical; a heterocycloalkyl containing     at least one nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by     (C₁-C₆)alkyl or aralkyl; a heteroaryl containing at least one     nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or a     radical of formula —NW₄W′₄     -   W₄ represents the hydrogen atom or (C₁-C₈)alkyl;     -   W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄;     -   Z₄ represents the hydrogen atom, (C₁-C₈)alkyl optionally         substituted by one or more identical or different substituents         chosen from: (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio and hydroxy;         (C₂-C₆)alkenyl; (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl optionally substituted by one         or more identical or different (C₁-C₆)alkyl substituents;         cyclohexene; heteroaryl and aryl;         -   the aryl and heteroaryl radicals being optionally             substituted by one or more identical or different radicals             chosen from formula —(CH₂)_(s″)—V₄—Y₄, hydroxy, halo, nitro             and cyano;             -   V₄ represents —O—, —S—, —NH—C(O)—, —NV′₄ or a covalent                 bond;             -   Y₄ represents a hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical                 optionally substituted by one or more identical or                 different halo radicals;             -   V₄′ represents a hydrogen atom or a (C₁-C₆)alkyl;             -   s″ represents an integer from 0 to 4;     -   or Z₄ represents a radical of formula         -   s and s′ represent, independently, an integer from 0 to 6;             or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;             for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of             weight disorders, mental health problems, pain, or sexual             activity disorders.

A subject of the present invention is more particularly the use of a compound of general formula (I′) as defined above, characterized in that

-   -   R₁ and R₂ represent, independently, a (C₁-C₈)alkyl radical;     -   R₃ represents Z_(3c) and Z_(3c) represents a phenyl or naphthyl         radical, each substituted at least by cyano;     -   R₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄ with R′₄         representing the pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl radical; or a         radical of formula —NW₄W′₄;         -   W₄ represents the hydrogen atom or (C₁-C₈)alkyl;         -   W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄ with Z₄             representing the hydrogen atom;         -   s represents an integer from 2 to 4; s′ represents an             integer from 0 to 4;             or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of the invention can also be presented in liquid form, for example, solutions, emulsions, suspensions or syrups. Appropriate liquid supports can be, for example, water, organic solvents such as glycerol or the glycols, as well as their mixtures, in varying proportions, in water, added to pharmaceutically acceptable oils or greases. The sterile liquid compositions can be used for intramuscular, intraperitoneal or sub-cutaneous injections and the sterile compositions can also be administered by intravenous route.

All the technical and scientific terms used in the present text have the meaning known to a person skilled in the art. Moreover, all the patents (or patent applications) as well as the other bibliographical references are incorporated by way of reference.

Experimental Part:

The compounds according to the invention obtained according to the procedures of Examples A, B, C, C′, D, E, F, F′ and G described previously, are set out in the table below.

The compounds are characterized by their retention times (rt) and their molecular peak determined by mass spectrometry (MH+).

For the mass spectrometry, a single quadripole mass spectrometer (Micromass, Platform model) equipped with an electrospray source is used with a resolution of 0.8 Da at 50% valley. A calibration is carried out monthly between the masses 80 and 1000 Da using a calibrating mixture of sodium iodide and rubidium iodide in solution in an isopropanol/water mixture (1/1 Vol.).

For the liquid chromatography, a Waters system including an in-line degasser, a Waters 600 quaternary pump, a Gilson 233 plate samplng injector and a Waters PAD 996 UV detector, is used.

The elution conditions used are the following:

Eluent: A water+0.04% trifluoroacetic acid; B acetonitrile T (minutes) A % B % 1 95 5 8.5  5 95  10.5  5 95  10.6 95 5 14.9 95 5 15.0 95 5

Flow rate: 1 ml/min; Injection: 10 μl; Column: Uptisphere ODS 3 μm 75*4.6 mm i.d.

These examples are presented in order to illustrate the procedures above and should in no event be considered as a limit to the scope of the invention. Examples Molecular structures [M + H]+ rt (min) 1

512.3 7.8 2

582.3 8.0 3

490.5 7.5 4

491.4 6.9 5

508.4 7.6 6

574.4 8.0 7

566.4 8.1 8

626.4 8.2 9

540.3 8.2 10

454.3 7.2 11

467.9 7.3 12

482.3 7.4 13

496.1 7.5 14

484.5 7.0 15

484.3 7.0 16

498.3 7.1 17

482.3 7.5 18

496.2 7.6 19

470.2 7.0 20

498.3 7.2 21

469.1 6.2 22

537.1 6.8 23

551.0 6.9 24

540.2 7.4 25

540.0 7.4 26

541.0 7.3 27

566.9 7.3 28

526.0 7.2 29

522.3 7.7 30

452.2 7.2 31

466.1 7.3 32

452.3 7.8 33

422.3 7.7 34

440.3 7.8 35

490.3 8.3 36

464.3 8.0 37

468.3 7.9 38

458.3 8.0 39

490.3 8.9 40

482.3 7.9 41

466.3 7.8 42

467.3 8.3 43

436.3 7.8 44

436.3 7.8 45

450.3 8.0 46

490.3 8.2 47

497.3 8.5 48

464.3 8.1 49

468.3 8.0 50

462.4 8.0 51

452.4 7.8 52

450.4 8.0 53

500.2 8.2 54

514.3 8.2 55

484.2 8.7 56

484.2 9.1 57

484.2 9.0 58

495.3 8.9 59

464.3 8.7 60

464.3 8.9 61

480.3 8.7 62

464.3 8.9 63

450.3 8.7 64

484.2 8.4 65

528.2 8.5 66

468.3 8.2 67

464.3 8.1 68

495.3 9.1 69

480.3 8.1 70

496.3 8.3 71

518.2 9.0 72

534.2 8.7 73

492.3 8.4 74

508.3 8.5 75

525.3 8.9 76

478.2 8.5 77

522.2 8.6 78

522.2 8.4 79

506.2 8.2 80

492.2 8.5 81

508.2 8.6 82

522.3 8.8 83

494.2 8.7 84

529.3 8.5 85

543.3 8.7 86

545.3 8.6 87

506.3 8.5 88

507.3 7.9 89

543.3 8.5 90

557.3 8.7 91

559.3 8.7 92

558.3 8.0 93

494.3 8.1 94

507.2 8.0 95

521.2 8.0 96

549.3 8.2 97

522.3 8.6 98

564.3 8.9 99

564.3 9.1 100

562.3 8.8 101

562.3 8.8 102

576.3 8.9 103

590.3 9.0 104

578.3 8.7 105

591.3 8.5 106

456.2 8.0 107

500.1 8.0 108

440.2 7.7 109

490.2 8.4 110

478.3 8.2 111

548.1 8.1 112

479.2 7.6 113

478.2 8.1 114

637.3 8.8 115

653.3 9.0 116

547.3 8.8 117

563.3 9.0 118

610.4 9.1 119

626.4 9.3 120

520.3 8.5 121

534.3 8.7 122

536.3 8.6 123

550.3 8.2 124

535.3 8.0 125

506.3 8.4 126

548.3 8.6 127

548.3 8.8 128

546.3 8.6 129

546.3 8.6 130

560.3 8.6 131

574.3 8.7 132

562.3 8.5 133

575.3 8.3 134

522.3 8.2 135

521.2 8.1 136

563.2 8.2 137

563.2 8.3 138

561.2 8.2 139

561.2 8.2 140

575.2 8.2 141

589.2 8.3 142

577.2 8.1 143

594.4 8.8 144

535.4 8.0 145

564.4 9.5 146

588.4 9.2 147

456.2 7.2 148

484.3 7.5 149

512.2 7.8 150

470.3 7.3 151

470.2 7.4 152

498.3 7.6 153

540.2 8.1 154

496.3 7.6 155

480.3 7.4 156

516.0 7.0 157

516.2 7.2 158

522.3 7.9 159

590.2 8.0 160

608.5 9.2 161

624.5 9.4 162

623.5 8.5 163

534.3 8.7 164

533.3 8.0 165

535.4 8.0 166

564.4 9.5 167

508.2 8.2 168

474.3 8.0 169

484.4 8.2 170

498.4 8.4 171

526.3 8.4 172

540.3 8.5 173

482.3 8.1 174

566.4 8.1 175

520.2 8.6 176

534.2 8.7 177

534.2 8.7 178

560.2 8.9 179

574.2 9.0 180

588.2 9.1 181

532.2 8.6 182

494.4 7.5 183

534.4 8.1 184

504.4 8.4 185

562.2 8.9 186

546.2 8.7 187

562.2 8.9 188

508.2 8.2 189

494.4 7.5 190

474.3 8.0 191

484.4 8.2 192

498.4 8.4 193

526.3 8.4 194

540.3 8.5 195

482.3 8.1 196

566.4 8.1 197

602.3 9.2 198

550.3 8.1 199

549.3 7.8 200

564.4 8.1 201

606.4 8.2 203

611.4 7.4 204

478.4 7.5 205

492.4 7.5 206

508.3 7.6 207

507.3 7.3 208

522.3 7.4 209

610.3 8.7 210

624.4 8.7 211

640.4 8.8 212

639.3 8.3 213

654.4 8.5 214

514.4 8.2 215

528.4 8.2 216

560.4 8.2 217

592.4 8.1 218

594.3 8.1 219

590.4 8.4 220

532.3 8.4 221

548.2 8.6 222

547.4 8.0 223

550.4 8.5 224

542.4 8.2 225

604.5 8.3 226

528.4 7.9 227

556.5 8.1 228

556.5 8.0 229

590.4 8.4 230

532.4 8.6 231

546.4 8.6 232

548.3 8.5 233

547.4 7.9 234

533.4 7.9 235

532.5 8.7 236

548.4 8.8 237

547.5 8.1 238

533.4 8.0 239

532.4 8.1 240

548.4 8.3 241

547.4 7.7 242

533.4 7.7 243

632.5 8.3 244

556.4 8.1 245

570.4 8.1 246

584.5 8.2 247

548.4 7.5 248

472.4 7.2 249

486.4 7.3 250

500.4 7.3 251

618.5 8.7 252

602.5 8.6 253

617.5 8.1 254

603.5 8.1 255

534.4 7.6 256

518.4 7.5 257

533.4 7.3 258

519.4 7.2 259

518.4 8.1 260

534.4 8.2 261

533.4 7.7 262

519.4 7.7 263

562.4 7.8 264

486.3 7.6 265

500.4 7.6 266

514.4 7.7 267

562.4 8.2 268

546.4 8.1 269

561.4 7.8 270

547.4 7.8 271

570.4 8.7 272

542.4 8.7 273

554.4 8.6 274

513.4 8.3

Examples Molecular structures [M + H]+ rt (min) 275

527.4 8.4 276

556.4 8.6 277

556.4 8.8 278

576.4 7.9 279

500.4 7.6 280

514.4 7.6 281

528.5 7.7 282

548.4 8.7 283

597.4 8.9 284

570.4 8.9 285

597.4 8.7 286

567.4 8.5 287

554.4 8.4 288

538.3 8.7 289

522.4 8.6 290

562.4 8.5 291

592.4 8.6 292

574.4 8.6 293

560.4 8.7 293

560.4 8.7 294

600.3 9.2 295

562.4 8.5 296

546.3 8.9 297

562.3 9.1 298

561.3 8.5 299

547.3 8.5 300

576.4 8.6 301

500.4 8.4 302

514.4 8.4 303

528.4 8.4 304

590.4 8.5 305

575.4 8.1 306

589.4 8.2 307

534.5 7.7 308

534.5 7.8 309

562.5 7.9 310

546.5 7.8 311

556.4 8.2 312

508.5 7.7 313

524.3 7.5 314

556.4 7.5 315

540.3 7.5 316

539.5 7.9 317

510.4 8.1 318

494.4 8.0 319

542.4 8.1 320

526.4 7.8 321

528.4 8.3 322

500.4 8.4 323

514.4 8.4 324

570.4 8.8 325

506.4 7.3 326

506.4 7.3 327

534.4 7.4 328

518.4 7.3 329

528.3 7.6 330

548.3 7.3 331

486.3 7.0 332

480.4 7.1 333

592.4 8.1 334

634.3 9.2 335

577.4 9.0 336

584.3 8.4 337

591.4 8.3 338

610.3 8.4 339

518.4 7.4 340

534.3 7.5 341

533.3 7.2 342

519.3 7.1 343

544.3 7.8 344

486.3 8.1 345

506.5 7.3 346

518.5 7.5 347

544.4 7.9 348

528.4 7.7 349

506.5 7.4 350

534.4 7.4 351

518.4 7.4 352

534.4 7.6 353

533.5 7.3 354

519.4 7.3 355

486.4 7.2 356

500.4 7.2 357

528.5 7.3 358

548.4 7.4 359

496.4 7.3 360

538.5 8.3 361

522.5 8.2 362

494.5 8.0 363

510.5 8.1 364

562.5 8.1 365

520.5 8.1 366

569.4 8.2 367

561.5 7.9 368

574.5 9.0 369

589.6 8.3 370

562.5 8.4 371

589.6 8.1 372

646.4 9.9 373

524.4 8.7 374

496.4 8.3 375

566.4 9.9 376

534.4 8.2 377

561.4 7.9 378

524.4 8.4 379

506.4 8.1 380

518.4 8.4 381

532.4 8.6 382

534.4 8.5 383

519.4 7.9 384

533.4 7.9 385

547.4 7.9 386

555.3 8.2 387

482.5 8.2 388

482.3 8.0 389

496.4 8.1 390

582.4 10.3 391

556.5 8.4 392

534.4 8.4 393

560.4 9.0 394

547.4 8.2 395

583.4 8.5 396

548.4 8.4 397

576.4 8.4 398

575.5 8.1 399

508.4 8.3 400

524.4 8.4 401

540.4 8.1 402

553.5 8.1 403

530.4 8.4 404

502.4 8.1 405

520.4 8.2 406

548.4 8.2 407

547.4 7.9 408

480.4 8.0 409

496.4 8.1 410

512.4 7.8 411

525.4 7.9 412

548.4 8.6 413

560.4 8.6 414

576.4 8.8 415

562.4 8.5 416

611.4 8.3 417

561.4 8.2 418

546.6 8.1 419

560.6 8.3 420

532.6 8.0 421

574.4 8.3 422

564.6 8.7 423

618.6 9.9 424

602.6 9.1 425

596.6 8.9 426

610.7 8.3 427

665.7 9.6 428

558.7 8.7 429

562.6 8.4 430

576.6 8.5 431

568.6 8.6 432

557.6 8.5 433

590.3 9.3 434

562.3 8.6 435

610.3 9.0 436

624.4 9.0 437

594.3 9.1 438

543.3 9.3 439

563.2 9.7 440

561.3 8.4 441

559.3 8.8 442

582.3 8.8 443

576.2 8.5 444

558.3 8.6 445

526.3 8.3 446

585.3 8.6 447

625.4 8.3 448

618.4 9.6 449

552.4 8.8 450

536.4 8.5 451

596.3 8.9 452

589.5 8.2 453

616.5 9.1 454

603.5 8.3 455

584.5 8.0 456

585.4 8.6 457

557.4 8.5 458

600.4 8.5 459

622.4 9.1 460

601.4 8.7 461

623.4 9.0 462

594.4 8.6 463

573.4 8.3 464

595.3 8.7 465

519.4 8.1 466

548.4 8.4 467

548.4 8.5 468

576.4 9.1 469

596.4 8.9 470

549.3 9.5 471

582.3 8.8 472

596.4 8.2 473

597.4 8.2 474

602.4 9.0 475

571.4 8.5 476

562.4 8.4 477

568.3 8.3 478

582.3 8.5 479

535.4 9.1 480

547.3 7.8 481

557.4 8.2 482

582.3 7.9 483

583.3 7.8 484

548.4 8.2 485

534.4 8.2 486

525.4 7.6 487

527.5 7.5 488

541.4 7.5 489

562.4 8.7 490

534.4 8.2 491

588.4 8.7 492

538.3 8.3 493

588.3 8.5 494

546.4 8.2 495

588.3 8.5 496

573.4 7.9 497

581.4 8.5 498

555.4 8.4 499

556.3 8.2 500

566.4 8.7 501

596.4 8.6 502

560.3 8.3 503

592.3 8.8 504

505.4 7.7 505

491.4 7.9 506

560.3 8.4 507

550.3 8.3 508

596.4 8.7 509

540.3 8.5 510

566.3 8.5 511

616.4 8.7 512

616.4 8.7 513

578.3 8.6 514

624.4 9.0 515

601.4 8.1 516

609.4 8.8 517

583.4 8.7 518

584.4 8.4 519

533.4 7.8 520

574.4 8.4 521

588.3 8.5 522

588.3 8.6 523

568.4 8.7 524

620.4 9.1 525

610.4 9.0 526

622.4 9.0 527

611.4 8.7 528

582.3 8.7 529

594.4 8.6 530

583.3 8.3 531

475.3 8.7 532

493.3 8.0 533

465.3 7.8 534

575.3 8.1 535

541.5 8.0 Pharmacological Study

The affinity of the compounds of the present invention for the different sub-types of melanocortin receptors was measured according to procedures analogous to those described below for the MC4 receptors.

Study of the Affinity of the Compounds for the MC4 Receptors of Melanocortins:

The affinity of the compounds of the invention for the MC4 receptors is determined by measuring the inhibition of the binding of [¹²⁵I]-[Nle⁴, D-Phe⁷]-α-MSH to membrane preparations of transfected CHO—K1 cells.

The CHO—K1 cells expressing in a stable fashion the human MC4 receptors are cultured in an RPMI 1640 medium containing 10% of foetal calf serum, 2 mM of glutamine, 100 U/ml of penicillin, 0.1 mg/ml of streptomycin and 0.5 mg/ml of G418. The cells are collected with 0.5 mM of EDTA and centrifuged at 500 g for 5 minutes at 4° C. The pellet is resuspended in a phosphate buffered saline (PBS) medium and centrifuged at 500 g for 5 minutes at 4° C. The pellet is resuspended in a Tris 50 mM buffer medium at pH 7.4 and centrifuged at 500 g for 5 minutes at 4° C. The cells are lysed by sonication and centrifuged at 39,000 g for 10 minutes at 4° C. The pellet is resuspended in the Tris 50 mM buffer medium at pH 7.4 and centrifuged at 50,000 g for 10 min at 4° C. The membranes obtained in this last pellet are stored at −80° C.

The measurement of the competitive inhibition of the binding of [¹²⁵I][Nle⁴, D-Phe⁷]-α-MSH to the MC4 receptors is carried out in duplicate using polypropylene 96-well plates. The cell membranes (50 μg of proteins/well) are incubated with [¹²⁵I]-[Nle⁴, D-Phe⁷]-α-MSH (0.5 nM) for 90 minutes at 37° C. in a Tris-HCl 50 mM buffer medium, pH 7.4, comprising 0.2% of bovine serum albumin (BSA), 5 mM of MgCl₂, and 0.1 mg/ml of bacitracin.

The bonded [¹²⁵I]-[Nle⁴, D-Phe⁷]-α-MSH is separated from the free [¹²⁵I]-[Nle⁴, D-Phe⁷]-α-MSH by filtration through GF/C glass fibre filters (Unifilter, Packard) pre-impregnated with 0.1% of polyethylenimine (P.E.I.), using a Filtermate 196 (Packard). The filters are washed with Tris-HCl 50 mM buffer, pH 7.4 at 0-4° C. and the radioactivity present is determined using a counter (Packard Top Count).

The specific binding is obtained by subtracting the non-specific binding (determined in the presence of 0.1 ftM of Nle⁴, D-Phe⁷-α-MSH) from the total binding. The data are analyzed by computer-aided non-linear regression (MDL) and the values of the inhibition constants (Ki) are determined.

The agonist or antagonist activity of the MC4 receptors of the compounds of the present invention was determined by measuring the production of cyclic AMP by the CHO—K1 cells transfected by the MC4 receptor.

Measurement of the Production of Intracellular Cyclic AMP via the MC4 Receptors:

The CHO—K1 cells expressing the MC4 receptors of the melanocortins are cultured in 384-well plates in an RPMI 1640 medium with 10% of foetal calf serum and 0.5 mg/ml of G418. The cells are washed twice with 50 μl of RPMI medium comprising 0.2% BSA and 0.5 mM of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX).

In order to measure the agonist effect of a compound, the cells are incubated for 5 minutes at 37° C. in the presence of 0.5 mM of IBMX, then stimulation of the production of cyclic AMP is obtained by adding the compound at concentrations comprised between 1 pM and 10 μM in duplicate for 20 minutes at 37° C. The antagonist effect of a compound is measured by inhibiting stimulation of the production of cyclic AMP induced by Nle⁴, D-Phe⁷-α-MSH at concentrations comprised between 1 pM and 10 μm, in the presence of the compound to be tested, at concentrations comprised between 1 nM and 10 μM in duplicate for 20 minutes at 37° C.

The reaction medium is eliminated and 80 μl of lysis buffer is added. The intracellular cyclic AMP level is measured by a competition test with fluorescent cyclic AMP (CatchPoint, Molecular Devices). 

1. A compound of the formula

in racemic, enantiomeric form or any combinations of these forms wherein A is selected from the group consisting of —CH₂—, —C(O)—, and —C(O)—C(R_(a))(R_(b))—; X is selected from the group consisting of —CH— or —N—; R_(a) and R_(b) are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl; R₁ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₈)alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy or at least one halo; (C₂-C₆)alkenyl and —(CH₂)_(n)—X₁; R₂ is selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₈)alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy or at least one halo; (C₂-C₆)alkenyl and alkenyl —(CH₂)_(n)—X₁; each X₁ independently is selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, adamantyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl, the (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl being unsubstituted or substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of —(CH₂)_(n)—V₁—Y₁, halo, nitro, cyano and aryl; V₁ is —O—, —S— or a covalent bond; Y₁ is (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo; n is an integer from 0 to 6 and n′ is an integer from 0 to 2 (it being understood that when n is equal to 0, then X₁ is not alkoxy); or R₁ and R₂ form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heterobicycloalkyl or a heterocycloalkyl optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, heterocycloalkyl and —C(O)NV₁′Y₁′, V₁′ and Y₁′ independently are hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or R₁ and R₂ together form a member selected from the group consisting of

R₃ is selected from the group consisting of Z₃, —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z₃, —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))—(CH₂)_(p)-Z₃ or —C(O)-Z′₃ R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) are independently hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl, Z₃ is selected from the group consisting Of Z_(3a), Z_(3b), Z_(3c), Z_(3d), or Z_(3e); Z_(3a) is (C₁-C₆)alkyl; Z_(3b) is selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino or di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino; Z_(3c) is aryl or heteroaryl; Z_(3d) is selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, amino-carbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino-carbonyl, di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino-carbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-C(O)—NH—, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl; the (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl being optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of halo, nitro, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy optionally substituted by at least one halo, (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-carbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, amino-carbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino-carbonyl, di((C—C₆)alkyl)amino-carbonyl and oxy, the aryl and heteroaryl radicals being optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of halo, cyano, nitro, azido, oxy, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl-(C₁-C₆)alkenyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino-carbonyl-(C₁-C₆)alkenyl, —SO₂—NR₃₁R₃₂, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl or —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃Y₃; R₃₁ and R₃₂ form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heterocycloalkyl; V₃ is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —O—C(O)—, —SO₂—, —SO₂NH—, —NR′₃—SO₂—, —NR′₃—, —NR′₃—C(O), —C(O)—NR′₃, —NH—C(O)—NR′₃— or a covalent bond; Y₃ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo; aryl optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of halo, nitro, (C₁-C₆)alkyl and (C₁-C₆)alkoxy; aryl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of halo, nitro, (C₁-C₆)alkyl and (C₁-C₆)alkoxy; Z_(3e) is

Z′₃ is aryl optionally substituted by one member selected from the group consisting of halo, nitro and —(CH₂)_(p″)—V′₃—Y′₃; V′₃ is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —C(O)—, [—C(O)-], —C(O)—O—, —C(O)—NR′₃—, —NH—C(O)—NR′₃— or a covalent bond; Y′₃ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo; R′₃ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)alkyl or (C₁-C₆)alkoxy; p is selected from the group consisting of an integer from 1 to 4; p′ and p″, are independently an integer from 0 to 4; R₄ is —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄ R′₄ is selected from the group consisting of guanidine; heterocycloalkyl containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl or aralkyl; a heteroaryl containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or —NW₄W′₄ W₄ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₈)alkyl; W′₄ is —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄; Z₄ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₈)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, hydroxy; (C₂-C₆)alkenyl; (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl optionally substituted by at least one (C₁-C₆)alkyl; cyclohexene; heteroaryl and aryl; the aryl and heteroaryl radicals being optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of —(CH₂)_(s″)—V₄—Y₄, hydroxy, halo, nitro and cyano; V₄ is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —NH—C(O)—, —NV₄′- or a covalent bond; Y₄ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo; V₄′ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl; s″ is an integer from 0 to 4; or Z₄ is

s and s′ are independently an integer from 0 to 6; and i) when R₃ is —C(O)-Z′₃ and R₄ is —(CH₂), —NW₄W′₄ and W₄ and W′₄ are independently hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl, then —(CH₂)_(s) is neither ethylene nor —(CH₂)—CH((C₁-C₄)alkyl)- and ii) when R₃ is -Z_(3c) and Z_(3c) is phenyl or naphthyl, then phenyl and naphthyl are not substituted by cyano; and it being understood that when R₃ is -Z_(3d) then Z_(3d) only is one (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. A compound of claim 1 wherein X is —CH—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 3. A compound of claim 2 wherein A is —CH₂—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 4. A compound of claim 3 wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently (C₁-C₈)alkyl; R₃ is selected from the group consisting of -Z_(3c), —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z_(3c), —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z_(3d), and —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))—(CH₂)_(p)-Z_(3d); R₄ is selected from the group consisting of —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄; R′₄ is heterocycloalkyl containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or —NW₄W′₄ W₄ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₈)alkyl; W′₄ is —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄; Z₄ is hydrogen; s is an integer from 2 to 4; s′ is an integer from 0 to 4; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 5. A compound of claim 4 wherein the heterocycloalkyl of R′₄ is piperidine; R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) are hydrogen; Z_(3c) is selected from the groups consisting of thienyl, furyl or phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by at least one halo or —(CH₂)_(p) V₃—Y₃; V₃ is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —C(O)—NR′₃— or a covalent bond; R′₃ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl; Y₃ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo; Z_(3d) is (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl or imidazolidine; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 6. A compound of claim 2 wherein A is —C(O)—C(R_(a))(R_(b))—, R_(a) and R_(b) are methyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 7. A compound of claim 6 wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently (C₁-C₈)alkyl; R₃ is selected from the group consisting of -Z_(3c), —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z_(3c), —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z_(3d) or —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))—(CH₂)_(p) Z_(3d); R₄ is —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄; R′₄ is heterocycloalkyl containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or —NW₄W′₄; W₄ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₈)alkyl; W′₄ is —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄; Z₄ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, phenyl or heteroaryl; s is an integer from 2 to 4; s′ is an integer from 0 to 4; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 8. A compound of claim 7, wherein R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) are independently hydrogen; Z_(3c) is thienyl optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl; or phenyl substituted by at least one selected from the group consisting of halo, nitro or —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃; V₃ is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O, —C(O)—NR′₃— or a covalent bond; Y₃ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo; R′₃ is hydrogen; Z_(3d) is (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl; the heterocycloalkyl of R′₄ is piperidine; the heteroaryl of Z₄ is pyridine; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 9. A compound of claim 2 wherein A is —C(O)—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 10. A compound of claim 9 wherein R₃ is —C(O)-Z′₃; R₁ and R₂ are independently (C₁-C₈)alkyl; Z′₃ is phenyl optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of halo, nitro and —(CH₂)_(p″)—V′₃—Y′₃ V′₃ is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —C(O)—O— or a covalent bond; Y′₃ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl; p″ is 0; R₄ is —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄ and R′₄—NW₄W′₄ W₄ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₈)alkyl; W′₄ is —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄ and Z₄ is hydrogen; s is an integer from 2 to 4; s′ is an integer from 0 to 4; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 11. A compound of claim 9 wherein R₁ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₈)alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, (C₂-C₆)alkenyl or —(CH₂)_(n)—X₁; R₂ is selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₈)alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, (C₂-C₆)alkenyl or —(CH₂)_(n)X₁; each X₁ is independently selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, the aryl being optionally substituted by at least one —(CH₂)_(n′)—V₁—Y₁ or halo; V₁ is —O— or a covalent bond; Y₁ is (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo or aryl; or R₁ and R₂ form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heterocycloalkyl optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, heterocycloalkyl and —C(O)NV₁′Y₁′, V₁′, and Y₁′ independently are hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl, or R₁ and R₂ together form a member selected from the group consisting of

R₃ is selected from the group consisting of -Z₃, —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z₃ or —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))—(CH₂)_(p)-Z₃; R₄ is —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄ R′₄ is selected from the group consisting of heterocycloalkyl containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl or aralkyl; a heteroaryl containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or —NW₄W′₄ W₄ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₈)alkyl; W′₄ is —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄; Z₄ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl or aryl; s is an integer from 0 to 5; s′ is an integer from 0 to 4; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 12. A compound of claim 11 wherein having at least one of the following characteristics: (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl of X₁ is cyclopropyl aryl of X₁ is phenyl; heteroaryl of X₁ is pyridine; heterocycloalkyl that R₁ and R₂ form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached is selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidine, piperidine, azepane, azacyclooctane, morpholine, piperazine and decahydroisoquinoline; heterocycloalkyl of R′₄, optionally substituted by (C—C₆)alkyl or benzyl, is selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl or piperazinyl; heteroaryl of R′₄ is imidazolyl; cycloalkyl of Z₄ is selected from the group consisting of cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl; aryl of Z₄ is phenyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 13. A compound of claim 11, wherein R₄ is —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄, is pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl; or —NW₄W′₄ W₄ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₈)alkyl; W′₄ is —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄ and Z₄ is hydrogen; s is an integer from 2 to 4; s′ is an integer from 0 to 4; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 14. A compound of claim 11 wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently (C₁-C₈)alkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 15. A compound of claim 11 wherein R₃ is -Z₃ and Z₃ is Z_(3c), Z_(3d) or Z_(3e); Z_(3d) is (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 16. A compound of claim 15, wherein Z_(3c) is a heteroaryl selected from the group consisting of thienyl, furyl, indolyl, dihydroindolyl, pyridyl, benzothienyl and benzofuryl; or an aryl selected from the group consisting of phenyl, naphthyl and fluorenyl; the heteroaryl being optionally substituted by at least one (C₁-C₆)alkyl-carbonyl or (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl; the aryl being optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of halo, cyano, nitro, azido, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl-(C₁-C₆)alkenyl, oxy, —SO₂—NR₃₁R₃₂, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, or —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃; R₃₁ and R₃₂ form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached piperidine; V₃ is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —SO₂—, —SO₂NH—, —NR′₃—, —NR′₃—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR′₃, —NH—C(O)—NR′₃— or a covalent bond; Y₃ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo, phenyl; or benzyl; R′₃ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)alkyl or (C₁-C₆)alkoxy; Z_(3d) is cyclopropyl, cyclohexyl or piperidinyl, each being unsubstituted or substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 17. A compound of claim 15, wherein R₃ is -Z₃ and Z₃ is Z_(3c), Z_(3d) or Z_(3e); Z_(3c) is heteroaryl selected from the group consisting of thienyl, indolyl and benzothienyl; or aryl is phenyl or naphthyl; the heteroaryl being optionally substituted by at least one oxy; the aryl radical being optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of halo, nitro, heteroaryl or —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃; V₃ is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —SO₂—, —SO₂NH—, —NR′₃—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR′₃—, —NH—C(O)—NR′₃— or a covalent bond; Y₃ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo, phenyl; or benzyl; R′₃ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)alkyl or (C₁-C₆)alkoxy; Z_(3d) is cyclopropyl or piperidinyl, each optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 18. A compound of claim 17, wherein Z₃ is Z_(3c) or Z_(3e); Z_(3c) is phenyl optionally substituted by at least one-member selected from the group consisting of nitro or —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃; V₃ is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —SO₂—, —SO₂NH—, —NR′₃—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR′₃— or a covalent bond; Y₃ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; (C₁-C₆)alkyl; phenyl; or benzyl; R′₃ is hydrogen; Z_(3e) is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 19. A compound of claim 11 wherein R₃ is —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z₃ and Z₃ is Z_(3b), Z_(3c), Z_(3d) or Z_(3e); or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 20. A compound of claim 19, wherein R₃ is —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z₃ and Z₃ is Z_(3b) or Z_(3c); R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) is hydrogen; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 21. A compound of claim 20 wherein Z_(3b) is (C₁-C₆)alkoxy; Z_(3c) is heteroaryl selected from the group consisting of thienyl, furyl, pyridyl, benzothienyl and dihydrobenzofuryl; or phenyl or naphthyl, the aryl being optionally substituted by at least one of halo or —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃Y₃; V₃ is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —SO₂—, SO₂NH—, —NR′₃—C(O)— or —C(O)—NR′₃—, Y₃ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo; R′₃ is hydrogen; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 22. A compound of claim 20, wherein R₃ is —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z₃, Z₃ is Z_(3b) or Z_(3c); Z_(3b) is (C₁-C₆)alkoxy; Z_(3c) is heteroaryl selected from the group consisting of thienyl, furyl, dihydrobenzofuryl; or phenyl; the phenyl being optionally substituted by at least one of nitro or —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃; V₃ is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —SO₂—, SO₂NH or —C(O)—NR′₃—, Y₃ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo; R′₃ is hydrogen; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 23. A compound of claim 22, wherein Z₃ is Z_(3c); Z_(3c) is furyl or phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by at least one —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃; V₃ is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —SO₂—, —SO₂NH— or —C(O)—NR′₃—, Y₃ is hydrogen; or (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one; R′₃ is hydrogen; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 24. A compound of claim 19, wherein R₃ is —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z₃, Z₃ is Z_(3d) or Z_(3e); R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) are hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl; Z_(3d) is (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl; Z_(3e) is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 25. A compound of claim 24 wherein Z_(3d) is selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, cyclohexyl or tetrahydrofuranyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 26. A compound of claim 24 wherein Z₃ is Z_(3d) or Z_(3e); Z_(3d) is (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl; Z_(3e) is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 27. A compound of claim 26 wherein Z₃ is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 28. A compound of claims 11 wherein R₃ is —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3)) —(CH₂)_(p)-Z₃ and Z₃ is Z_(3b), Z_(3c) or Z_(3d); or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 29. A compound of claim 28, wherein R₃ is —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))—(CH₂)_(p)-Z₃ and Z₃ is Z_(3b); or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 30. A compound of claim 29, wherein R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) are independently hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl; Z_(3b) is (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio or di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 31. A compound of claim 29, wherein R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) are independently hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl; Z_(3b) is (C₁-C₆)alkoxy or (C₁-C₆)alkylthio; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 32. A compound of claim 28, wherein R₃ is —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))—(CH₂)_(p)-Z₃ and Z₃ is Z_(3c) or Z_(3d); or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 33. A compound of claim 32, wherein R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) are independently hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl, Z_(3c) is indolyl or phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by at least one of halo or —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃; V₃ is —SO₂NH—, Y₃ is hydrogen; or (C₁-C₆)alkyl, Z_(3d) is selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, amino-carbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-amino-carbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-C(O)—NH—, or piperidinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidine or imidazolidinyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 34. A compound of claim 32, wherein Z₃ is Z_(3d); R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) are independently hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl; Z_(3d) is selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, amino-carbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino-carbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-C(O)—NH— or heterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted by oxy; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 35. A process for the preparation of a compound of claim 1 comprising reacting a compound of the formula

in which A, X, R₁, R₂, R₄ have the meaning of claim 1, with an isothiocyanate of the formula R₃N═C═S in which R₃ has the meaning indicated in claim 1, in the presence of a coupling agent or yellow mercury (II) oxide in the presence of sulfur, for a period of 3 to 48 hours, in a protic or aprotic solvent, at a temperature of 50 to 80° C.
 36. A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound of claim 1, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 37-42. (canceled)
 43. A method of treating a condition selected from the group consisting of weight disorders, mental health conditions and sexual activity disorders in a warm-blooded animals comprising administering to warm-blooded animals in need thereof an amount of a compound of claim 1 sufficient to treat said condition.
 44. The method of claim 43 wherein the mental health problems are anxiety and depression.
 45. The method of claim 43 wherein the weight disorders are selected from the group consisting of anorexia, cancer cachexia, AIDS cachexia, old-age cachexia, cardiac cachexia, renal cachexia, and cachexia in rheumatoid arthritis.
 46. A method of relieving pain in warm-blooded animals comprising administering to warm-blooded animals in need thereof a pain activity amount of a compound of claim
 1. 47. The method of treating a condition selected from the group consisting of weight disorders, mental health conditions and sexual activity disorders in a warm-blooded animals comprising administering to warm-blooded animals in need thereof an amount of a compound of the formula

in racemic or enantiomeric form or any combinations of these forms and wherein A′ is selected from the group consisting of —CH₂—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—C(R_(a))(R_(b))—; X′is —CH—; R_(a) and R_(b) are independently hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl; R′₁ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; (C₁-C₈)alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy or at least one halo; (C₂-C₆)alkenyl; or —(CH₂)_(n)—X₁; R′₂ is (C₁-C₈)alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy or at least one halo; (C₂-C₆)alkenyl; (CH₂)_(n)—X₁; each X₁ independently is selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, adamantyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, the (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl being optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of —(CH₂)_(n)—V₁—, Y₁, halo, nitro, cyano and aryl; V₁ is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S— or a covalent bond; Y₁ is (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo; n is an integer from 0 to 6 and n′ is an integer from 0 to 2 (it being understood that when n is equal to 0, then X₁ is not alkoxy) or R₁ and R₂ form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heterobicycloalkyl or a heterocycloalkyl optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, heterocycloalkyl and —C(O)NV₁′Y₁′ with V₁′ and Y₁′ independently are hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or R₁ and R₂ form together

R₃ is selected from the group consisting of -Z₃, C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))-Z₃, —C(R_(Z3))(R′_(Z3))—(CH₂)_(p)-Z₃ or —C(O)-Z′₃ R_(Z3) and R′_(Z3) are independently hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl, Z₃ is selected from the group consisting Of Z_(3a), Z_(3b), Z_(3c), Z_(3d), or Z_(3e); Z_(3a) is (C₁-C₆)alkyl; Z_(3b) is selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino or di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino; Z_(3c) is aryl or heteroaryl; Z_(3d) is selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, amino-carbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino-carbonyl, di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino-carbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-C(O)—NH—, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl; the (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl being optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of halo, nitro, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy optionally substituted by at least one halo, (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo, (C, C₆)alkyl-carbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl, amino-carbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino-carbonyl, di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino-carbonyl and oxy, the aryl and heteroaryl being optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of halo, cyano, nitro, azido, oxy, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl-(C₁-C₆)alkenyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino-carbonyl-(C₁-C₆)alkenyl, —SO₂—NR₃₁R₃₂, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl or —(CH₂)_(p′)—V₃—Y₃; R₃₁ and R₃₂ form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heterocycloalkyl; V₃ is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —O—C(O)—, —SO₂—, —SO₂NH—, —NR′₃—SO₂—, —NR′₃—, —NR′₃—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR′₃, —NH—C(O)—NR′₃— or a covalent bond; Y₃ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo; aryl optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of halo, nitro, (C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy; or aryl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of halo, nitro, (C₁-C₆)alkyl and (C₁-C₆)alkoxy; Z_(3e) is

Z′₃ is aryl optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of halo, nitro and —(CH₂)_(p) V′₃—Y′₃; V′₃ is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —C(O)—NR′₃, —NH—C(O)—NR′₃ or a covalent bond; Y′₃ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo; R′₃ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)alkyl or (C₁-C₆)alkoxy; p is an integer from 1 to 4; p′ and p″ are independently an integer from 0 to 4; R₄ is —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄; R′₄ is selected from the group consisting of guanidine; heterocycloalkyl containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl or aralkyl; heteroaryl containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or —NW₄W′₄ W₄ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₈)alkyl; W′₄ is —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄; Z₄ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C I—C₈)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, hydroxy; (C₂-C₆)alkenyl; (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl optionally substituted by at least one (C₁-C₆)alkyl; cyclohexene; heteroaryl and aryl; the aryl and heteroaryl being optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of —(CH₂)_(s″)—V₄—Y₄, hydroxy, halo, nitro and cyano; V₄ is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —NH—C(O)—, —NV′₄ or a covalent bond; Y₄ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo; V₄′ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl; s″ is an integer from 0 to 4; or Z₄ is

s and s′ are independently an integer from 0 to 6; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof sufficient to treat said condition.
 48. The method of claim 47, wherein R₁ and R₂ of are independently (C₁-C₈)alkyl; R₃ is Z_(3c) and Z_(3c) is phenyl or naphthyl, each substituted at least by cyano; R₄ is —(CH₂)_(s)—R′₄, R′₄ is pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl; or —NW₄W′₄; W₄ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₈)alkyl; W′₄ is —(CH₂)_(s′)-Z₄, Z₄ s is hydrogen; s is an integer from 2 to 4; s′ is an integer from 0 to 4; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 